Best Restaurants in Gakugeidaigaku: Tokyo’s Coolest Neighborhood

Tokyo's Gakugeidaigaku neighborhood was recently featured at #15 in Time Out Magazine's "Coolest Neighborhoods in the World" list. What is it about this area that makes it not just the coolest neighborhood in Tokyo, but one of the top 15 worldwide? 

If we had to guess, we’d say part of it has to be the amount of great places to eat. Let's dive in and explore Gakugeidaigaku and its wealth of delicious restaurants. 

Watch Shizuka explore the Gakugeidaigaku neighborhood as she chats with the locals, tries delicious foods and even visits some of the places that made it onto this list!

Gakugeidaigaku is known for its laid-back and relaxed vibe that contrasts some of its more visited neighbors like Nakameguro, Jiyugaoka and, of course, Shibuya, which is just eight minutes away. 

Flying under the radar, the neighborhood has built itself around mom-and-pop shops and a wide selection of local cafes and bars that line the streets. Old shops coexist with newly opened restaurants in Gakugeidaigaku, creating an atmosphere that combines nostalgia and modern sensibilities. 

Its close proximity to major hubs like Shibuya means that escaping the noise of the city is just a short train ride away.

Gakugeidaigaku Station conveniently services the neighborhood; interestingly, that's how the area got the nickname people now commonly use in place of its official name, Takaban. 

The station was named after Gakugei University, which has since moved locations, but the name stuck. You can get to Gakugeidaigaku in just eight minutes from Shibuya Station on the Toyoko Line. If you take the express train, the trip is only six minutes. 

Holding a Michelin star for 13 years straight speaks to the quality of kaiseki dishes at Kappo Suzuki. Located just five minutes from Gakugeidaigaku Station on foot, it’s been a local staple for over 30 years. 

Chef Suzuki Yoshitsugu visits Tsukiji Market every morning to find fresh, local ingredients, which means that every day brings new dishes that change with the seasons. Lunch and dinner omakase courses are available and feature a delicious variety of seasonal dishes. 

A highlight is the constantly changing cooking methods throughout the course meal. A colorful mix of raw, stewed, steamed and fried dishes provide everchanging flavors and mouthfeel. A wide selection of drinks are also available to pair with your meal. 

A popular spot with locals, Yakitori Yaoya Hanare is a relatively new restaurant in Gakugeidaigaku that serves up high-quality yakitori (chicken skewers). Try their tsukune (chicken meatball) with chouchin, a special ball-shaped egg yolk. It’s a rare delicacy that many Japanese people haven’t even tried, so don’t miss your chance.

The restaurant is conveniently located on Gakugeidaigaku Station’s east side. Plan your visit in advance because reservations are prone to filling up fast. Yakitori Yaoya Hanare is one of the places that Shizuka visited during her exploration of the Gakugeidaigaku neighborhood. 

Located on the east side of Gakugeidaigaku, Mendokoro Bigiya has been gaining notoriety in recent years. The shop received a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2019 and was featured on Tabelog’s “Top 100 Ramen of Tokyo” lists for both 2023 and 2024. 

Their menu is simple yet refined as they focus almost exclusively on shoyu (soy sauce) ramen. That’s not to say that their noodles are run-of-the-mill. For those who want a truly unique experience, their yuzu white shoyu ramen has delightful citrus flavors infused in the broth.

You can’t go wrong with their standard bowl of ramen, though, which comes in four varieties: standard, egg topping, extra chashu meat, and all-toppings bowl. You can customize your ramen to however hungry you are, but no matter which you pick, the rich and salty broth and chewy whole grain noodles are a treat. 

Due to its popularity with locals and travelers, a line can form during peak lunch and dinner hours, so make sure to give yourself some extra time. 

On-ya is a local udon restaurant in Gakugedaigaku that’s only open four days a week, from Wednesday to Saturday. Their hours are equally limited, being only open for lunch from 11 am to 2 pm (and if they run out of ingredients, they may close even earlier). Due to these hours, you may be greeted by a line, so make sure to come early. 

If you are lucky enough to get a table, you’ll be rewarded with crunchy tempura cooked fresh to order and satisfyingly chewy udon at an affordable price point. One of the clear stars is the broth, which has a light and elegant dashi flavor. 

Choose between kamatama udon, with noodles submerged in the broth not unlike a bowl of ramen, or bukkake udon, which has the noodles sitting atop a shallow pool of broth. Zaru udon is also on offer, which allows you to dip your noodles into the broth at your own pace. 

Enter a private home cooking studio in Tokyo to learn how to make a bowl of udon alongside a selection of Japanese comfort foods. You’ll experience every step of the udon-making process, from kneading the dough to cutting the noodles. 

You won’t just be making udon. You’ll fry up fresh tempura and learn how to make gyoza (dumplings) with a selection of fillings. When your spread is complete, it’s time to dig in and savor the flavors of your handmade dishes. 

Leave with English recipes to make the dishes again at home. 

While the trendy “I’m donut?” shops spread throughout Tokyo receive much of the sweet-tooth attention in the city, small places like Higuma Donuts in Gakugeidaigaku offer their own unique and delicious flavors. 

The shop owner grew up in Hokkaido before living in Canada for several years and the influences of both of those locales can be felt in the decor and the menu. 

Their most popular item is their plain donut, which allows you to savor all of the Hokkaido-sourced ingredients. If you are looking for something sweeter, a wide selection of flavors are available with highlights including the honey mascarpone and chocolate donuts. 

Surprisingly, the menu extends beyond donuts and includes a meaty hamburger using Hokkaido beef that you can sink your teeth into. Get a delightful mix of sweet and savory by pairing the burger with one of their donuts. 

Find out more: Where to Eat The Best Donuts in Tokyo

If you want fresh sushi in Gakugeidaigaku, Sushi Yano is a great spot. Located in an unassuming concrete building on the neighborhood's west side, they serve incredibly fresh seafood in a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere.

Try their delicious uni (served in the sea urchin shell) topped with ikura (salmon roe), or dine on classics like tuna and salmon nigiri sushi. Pull up a seat at the counter for a front-row view of the chefs expertly preparing each piece of sushi or dine at a table with your group.

A trendy craft beer bar in Gakugeidaigaku, Another 8 Corner constantly rotates their domestic beers on tap to make each visit a new experience. The disappointment of a delicious beer leaving the rotation is eclipsed by the joy of discovering your next favorite. 

Based around the number eight that's featured prominently in the name of not just this location but their other two bars in Tokyo and Kyoto, they offer eight types of beer and sake to choose from at a time. An extensive food menu with Western and Japanese-influenced dishes is a great pairing with any of their drinks. 

The modern interior is bright and welcoming, with lights illuminating the street and outdoor seating through the bar’s large windows. 

Find out more: Best Cocktail Bars in Tokyo: The Ultimate Guide

Gakugeidaigaku doesn’t just have delicious restaurants; the neighborhood also has mouthwatering street food to enjoy while exploring the area. Meguro Hiiragi has two locations in the neighborhood, one on the station's west side and one on the east. 

Both spots serve tasty taiyaki with a generous amount of filling stuffed inside the piping hot fish-shaped pastry. Keep an eye on their seasonal menu for limited-time delights like kakigori (shaved ice) or ohagi (sweet rice balls).

Their Himonya Koen Dori (west side) location was featured in Tabelog’s “100 Best Wagashi in Tokyo” list for 2023. Buy one taiyaki to enjoy on the go, or purchase five or ten-piece boxes to share with friends or family. 

After enjoying one of Tabelog’s favorite taiyaki spots, learn how to make your own delicious fish-shaped pastries as you make three taiyaki using a variety of fillings in this Tokyo cooking class.

Choose from traditionally sweet options like anko (red bean paste) and cream, or experiment with more unorthodox savory fillings like spicy keema curry and okonomiyaki. 

You’ll get to make the dough before pouring the batter into the fish-shaped hot plate to get the perfect taiyaki shape.

Matterhorn is another neighborhood shop that Tabelog has recognized, this time ranking on the website’s “Top 100 Sweets Shops in Tokyo” list in 2023. A local fixture in the Gakugeidaigaku food scene since 1952, they have an extensive menu ranging from cake and chocolate to ice cream and coffee.

Choose from light and fluffy cakes or try Japanese dessert favorites like bamkuchen or mont blanc. Located right next to the station, it’s an easy place to stop by for a treat, even when short on time.  

A Gakugeidaigaku restaurant serving up organic dishes with fresh ingredients, ORGANIC RESTAURANT & DELI Midorie allows you to customize your meal with the choice of meat, fish or vegan options for your main dish. 

Each meal is accompanied by five colorful side dishes loaded with seasonal vegetables as well as a piping hot bowl of miso soup. 

Their menu changes regularly with the seasons, so each visit could lead to discovering a new favorite. They offer takeout, but eating in allows you to soak in the natural and cozy atmosphere of the restaurant. 

Discover the wide range of vegan restaurants in Tokyo or explore nearby Shibuya on a  food tour.