You can’t leave Tokyo without sampling some sushi but the city can be a pricey place to eat out. Head instead to Kaiten-zushi for affordable plates from a conveyor belt. This fad may have spread to cheap London chains but the quality is definitely better out in Japan. There are several branches across the city, including Shinjuku.
It’s also handy for anyone who doesn’t speak Japanese or like surprises when it comes to their dinner!

3-25-9 Shinjuku

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Beige Tokyo, the creation of Chanel and Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, is so achingly hip it’ll make you take off your suit the moment you get in. Located in the Chanel Ginza Building, it is the perfect fusion of high fashion and impeccable cuisine: try the frog’s legs and akagegyu beef for orgasmic culinary pleasure.

www.hessischer-hof.de/de/

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The Conrad Tokyo’s major attraction is its location. Walking distance from the Hamarikyu Garden and the legendary Tsukiji Fish Market (amongst other tourist delights), this is the place to stay if you don’t have a weekend (go for the Hyatt if you do) but do have time to explore in the evenings. The in-house Gordon Ramsay restaurants are also a bonus. Book an Executive Room or an Executive Suite; the latter is exceptional value given its 83 square metre size.

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Fukuzushi, near Roppongi is great for a quieter (perhaps weekday team) dinner. It is a dinky, gorgeous, family-run restaurant, with sushi dominating the menu. The sashimi – especially tuna and salmon staples – are irresistibly delicious and the sake deserves your full attention. Two important tips. Get there early – it gets rather empty after 9pm – and make sure you get very clear directions – it’s remarkably difficult to find.

www.roppongifukuzushi.com/e_fukuzushi/e_fukuzushi.html

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The New York Grill on the 52nd floor of the Park Hyatt is heaving every night, it serves some of the best seafood, poultry and red meat I’ve ever tasted in Japan (no mean feat). There’s also a super-high celebrity quotient.

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It's talked about but not many people in the world have tasted it. It is decadent and pure luxury. I'm talking about Kobe beef - the most tender, tasty, melt in the mouth moment I've ever tasted. This delight of Japanese cuisine is of course, best tasted in the home of the beef. Kobe is an hour or so away from Tokyo on the bullet train but the journey is well worth it. Step out of Kobe's main shinkensen station and you will be greeted with posters and bill boards of places to taste this fine meat.

Check out the restaurants who offer 'nose print' certificates of the cow to prove authenticity. Lightly grilled is my personal recommendation.

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Everyone I know uses Tokyofoodie.com to decide on restaurants in Tokyo. Well-written and comprehensive articles by other food lovers are perfect there.

www.tokyofoodie.com
www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/jan/18/tokyo.travelwebsites

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Part bar, part puppet show, this one-man-cabaret of a dining experience is for anyone who likes to eat out in truly surreal fashion.

It's the choicest blend of beer, bar snacks, party games and singing lavatory available in Tokyo, though definitely not recommended for the overly self-conscious.

Hanasada Bldg. B1F 5-12, Shinbashi 2 -Chome, Minato-Ku, Tokyo.

homepage: www1.ocn.ne.jp/~kagayayy/index_e.html

review: metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/448/bars.asp

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Literally the best restaraunt/bar you will find in Tokyo (nay the world), and it's on the 42nd floor atop of the Mori Atago building.

Great atmosphere and the best view of Tokyo you'll get over Lobster (recommend at night).

Atago Green Hills, Kamiyacho
www.ystable.co.jp/restaurant/xexatago

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"Kaiten" is the name given to the conveyor belt-style sushi restaurants you'll have seen on virtually any TV programme about Tokyo. Take a seat, make yourself a free cup of green tea and take whatever you fancy. The price of the sushi depends on the colour of the plate (you'll find the price guide on the wall), and once you've had enough just ask for the "okanjo" (bill) and pay at the till as you leave. Simple, easy and delicious. The price of a plate varies from JPY100 (about 50p) to JPY600 (3 pounds).

I recommend "Kazu" in Ginza (Ginei Building 1F, 8-8-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku), near the Burberry store.
Nearest station: Ginza.

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Not technically Japanese food (it originates from Korea), but yaki-niku ("grilled meat") is so popular in Japan it would be rude not to mention it. You'll find each table has a miniature barbeque, upon which you place a variety of meats and vegetables to grill (or incinerate, depending on how many beers you've had). The choice of meats is huge (from beef tongue, every conceivable part of a chicken, to... well, you'll find out), and it's damn good fun too.

You'll find yaki-niku restaurants all over Tokyo. Gyukaku (www.gyukaku.ne.jp) has various locations throughout the city, with English menus available.

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Try this traditional restaurant in an alley two blocks east of the Sony building. Serves kamameshi - rice cooked in a metal bowl inside a wooden holder complete with lid. Choose your own toppings - we had chicken, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and prawns. Inexpensive. Helpful waiters and locals and English menu.

Ginza station

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The Gonpachi restaurant offers up a super dining experience. A hip, lively place where the staff shout a welcome to you while you're led to the table.

At the door you can choose between the sushi half of the place or the kushiyaki (skewers) and soba (noodles) half. The soba noodles are made from buckwheat ground daily on the premises. A massive food experience with traditional and yet modern Japanese fare. Skewers of foie gras with balsamico and strawberries? Unbelievable.
We tried the sushi half another night and were bowled over by the quality of the dishes and the æsthetic presentation.

Gonpachi is buried at the back of the G-Zone dining complex. After you enter just keep on walking down the halls. No, not that restaurant, keep going. All the way to the back. Well worth a visit.

Closest station: Kyobashi (Ginza Line). Exit 3. Or G-Zone is located under the elevated motorway across from the Seiyo Ginza hotel.
Tel: 03 5524 3641
Web: www.global-dining.com/site/restaurants/index.cfm?resID=142&page=detail&lang=EN&chainId=8

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I'm rarely disappointed eating out in Tokyo but these places stand out. Davis in Takanwa (the owner is Shoko Davis, married to an eponymous Englishman) has created two fine restaurants. The food is European, the wines are well chosen and surprisingly good value. You eat well, drink well and still have a bill cheaper than all but the cheapest London curry house. They can be a bit difficult to find so ask for a map. The effort is well worth it.

Davis 2-5-6 Takanwa Tel 03 3440 6007
Nearest stations Shirogane Takanawa, Shinagawa (JR)
Davis too 3-13-4 Nishishinbashi Tel 03 3433 4321
Nearest stations Kamiyacho, Toranomon, Onarimon

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One of Tokyo's smaller clubs, La Fabrique has a warm atmosphere and one of the best sound systems. Music varies depending on the night, be sure to check their website before venturing in. Oh and don't bother going before midnight; it'll be half-empty.

Zero Gate B1F, 16-9 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku 150-0042
Nearest station: Shibuya
lafabrique.jp
It's quite hard to find, especially if you're not used to Tokyo. Your best bet is to ask one of the many kids you'll see hanging around for directions.

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