Cosmopolitan Cuisine: 7 Best Restaurants in Azabu Juban

Located between Roppongi and Tokyo Tower, Azabu Juban is a casual, old-school neighborhood despite its central location. You can enjoy proximity to many different embassies, shopping in the Azabu Juban Shopping District, and one of the largest collections of foreign language media at the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library.

Of course, you might be wondering what to eat while in this upscale area. Not to worry, we have your back! Known as a great place for Tokyo meat lovers, you’ll find no shortage of yakiniku (grilled meat) and kappo eateries.

In this article, we’ll share the best restaurants to dine at in the Azabu Juban sector of Tokyo. 

The younger sibling of the famed ILBrio in the nearby Roppongi Hills, IlBrio Azabu swaps Italian cuisine for traditional Japanese fare. 

After sitting down at your table, a characteristic ILBrio cart will be rolled to your seat, piled high with seasonal ingredients, slabs of kuroge wagyu black beef and exquisite selections of seafood. The chef lays out the contents himself, making for a delectable smorgasbord to choose from. 

Eat to your heart’s content and pair the feast with a delicious sake, wine or champagne from ILBrio’s impressive selection. 

Visitors will also enjoy the elegant interiors of the restaurant with its modern Japanese aesthetic, curated artwork and dark blue curtains framing each room — a feast for the eyes as much for the taste buds. 

With a name hailing from the French word for “ally” or “companion,” it’s no surprise that Allie is all about collaboration between the chef-sommelier duo of Tadashi Harashima and Kenichiro Sasakura. 

Both having spent time working in Michelin-starred restaurants, Chef Harashima and Sommelier Sasakura created their French restaurant with the customers in mind. 

Working with local farmers and fishermen, they handpick each ingredient used in their meals. One thing you’ll notice is the origins of each dish being credited to their suppliers on the menu, ensuring you know where everything in your meal is coming from. 

Enjoy a variety of seven or 10-course menus at Allie — go on, you deserve it.

Experience the epitome of Japanese hospitality and delectable cuts of wagyu beef at Yakiniku Kappo Note, a yakiniku restaurant in the heart of Azabu Juban. 

Guests can choose between a coveted seat at the counter for a view of all the culinary action or a private room for parties of up to six people for a more intimate dining experience. 

The menu at Yakiniku Kappo Note changes with the seasons, though the highest grade wagyu beef remains a centerpiece with surroundings of umami mushrooms, warm broths and an extensive array of shochu, wine and sake.

If you’re a fan of unagi, or Japanese eel, you must come to Azabujuban Hanabusa for a meal. Hanabusa sources its eels from the pure waters of the Yahagi River, which flows from the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. Closely monitored, the eels are raised as naturally as possible. 

Even those who don’t generally like fish will notice the lack of fishy odor in Hanabusa’s fish as a result of their upbringing. 

Unlike other unagi restaurants in Tokyo, however, Hanabusa subscribes to the Kansai method of grilling, which involves grilling the fish directly over a charcoal flame instead of steaming it. The crispy surface and smoky flavor are then enhanced with Hanabusa’s secret sauce. 

For a different take on traditional yakiniku, look no further than Ushi ni Kanabou. Influenced by the French culinary school of thought, the chefs at this restaurant are meticulous about matching sauces to individual cuts of meat. 

Tenderloin might be paired with traditional yakiniku sauce, while beef tongue might be paired with a citrus-based marinade, for example. 

All cattle coming through Ushi ni Kanabou are sourced from the Omi or Kobe variety, ensuring that each bite is high in quality and unforgettable in flavor. 

For a visual treat, we recommend Courage, an art space-meets-restaurant that serves French fusion cuisine. 

Served in front of a psychedelic mural and warm lighting, Courage’s most famous offering is the Kasumi duck sandwich with seasonal truffles and duck broth. 

Every ingredient at Courage is picked with sustainability in mind, including its Jinseki wagyu beef, raised with an environmentally-conscious approach in Hiroshima, similar to the free-range Nishizaki-raised ducks used in the Kasumi duck sandwich. 

Tantalize all senses with one of their omakase “chef’s choice” menus, ranging from six to nine courses and brimming with fresh, seasonal ingredients and dishes.

If you’re feeling like Italian for your next meal, be sure to stop by Piatto Suzuki, a Michelin-star Italian restaurant in Azabu Juban. 

Feast on their outstanding meat and seafood dishes, including garlic and olive oil clams, crab spaghetti and Ibaraki beef. 

Foodies will be happy to know that the chef takes requests, so you can have a meal of your own choosing whipped up for you for a one-of-a-kind culinary experience. 

Has this only sharpened your interest in the Azabu Juban area? Discover the famous Kill Bill restaurant in Nishi Azabu, or see what else Japan has to offer with Tokyo fall foliage and the best wagyu restaurants.

Azabu Juban is one of the more expensive districts of Tokyo, known for its arts scene, fancy restaurants and swanky business folk.

Much like the majority of Tokyo, Azabu Juban is considered a safe place for people from all walks of life.