Family Eats

Despite having lived in Minami Azabu (Minato-ku, Tokyo) for a long time, I had never enjoyed the library lunch & coffee at the Central Tokyo Metro Library Cafeteria and Cafe in Arisuagwa Park, Minami Azabu. I finally stopped in the other day and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon of lunch, books, …

Bareburger Organic Restaurant, Jiyugaoka is a fantastic spot for organic, grass fed burgers. They offer a number of customizable options for your burger or green salad; design-your-own, a lettuce wrap instead of a bun for low-carb dieters, and allows even vegetarians to enjoy burgers the way they like. They also …

Enjoy an organic meal at the cozy Midorie Organic Restaurant & Deli. Open since 2001 Midorie serves organic produce and seasonal seafood procured directly from farmers and fishermen in Japan. This baby-friendly and non-smoking restaurant is located a short walk from Gakugeidaigaku station and has 6 wooden tables and chairs, …

Enjoy Ginza With Kids At The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cafe I write many guides here on Best Living Japan, but what you may not know about me is that I have a serious sweet tooth. My daughter is now one year old and loves cruising Tokyo with me, so I’m …

Here are more than 23+ great Tokyo breakfast brunch spots. Looking for a good spot for Tokyo breakfast or brunch on the weekend?  I love breakfast! I am a very earlier riser, so breakfast is my main meal of the day.  There are many other Tokyo Breakfast Brunch spots, but …

Mr Farmer is known for their farm-to-table concept, delivering fresh, locally produced food to local consumers. Whether you are a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free Mr Farmer offers something for everyone. Mr Farmer Komazawa (their 4th restaurant) is located in Komazawa Olympic Park at the Nishi-guchi gate or near the Jabu Jabu Ike (paddling …

The holidays are here, and it is time to plan your Tokyo Christmas Dinner 2017. Are you ready? Whether you have been nasty or nice, you deserve a nice tasting Christmas dinner. Here are our top recommendations for Tokyo area families. Reserve early! Happy Holidays! If you have other recommendations …

American Thanksgiving Dinner in Tokyo 2017 is right around the corner – Thursday, November 23rd, 2017. Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Turkeys are already being sold and reservations being taken for November 23rd, be sure not to miss out and to be able to relax by planning ahead.  To help …

Oyako Cafe / Parent Child Cafe Three Little Pigs (親子カフェ三びきの子ぶた) is another great spot to add to our Top Tokyo Restaurants with Playrooms list. Oyako Cafe is a clean and cozy, baby & kid-friendly cafe with floor-level tables, private nursing room and play area equip with toys for babies up to …

Kimukatsu is a popular tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant in Japan serving high quality pork thinly sliced and stacked into 25 layers. It is then covered with fresh breadcrumbs and fried slowly in low temperature for 8 minutes resulting in a deliciously crunchy and tender mille feuille type of pork cutlet. We …

Finding quality Mexican restaurants in Tokyo can be tough. We`ve done the legwork for you. Here are our favorite Tokyo Mexican Restaurants; from tacos, to burritos, to Tex-Mex we`ve got you covered. ***** Top Tokyo Mexican Restaurants ***** 1. La Jolla Mexican Restaurant, Hiroo – La Jolla Mexican restaurant is a sure winner in …

What kids does not love noodles? Especially the big, fat, warm noodles at Udon Buzen in Azabu Juban. As the temps are dropping a warm bowl of noodles accompanied with tempura hits just the right spot. Udon Buzen, Azabu Juban – Great Tokyo Kids Noodle Lunch Spot Udon Buzen is …

I grew up on a farm so crave a good burger every once in a while – very happy Umami Burger has launched in Japan. Umami Burger started in California and now has 24 branches in Las Vegas, Chicago, NYC and Tokyo!  Their whole concept is gourmet burgers which capture …

** Note as of Dec 2017 Kichiri no longer offers lunch service and they have closed their playroom. We`re disappointed as this was our favorite spot to lunch with kids however we there are still eight great locations to dine at and let the kids play. Kichiri Ebisu is a …

Asador del Prado is a family and pet friendly Grill and Cafe in Nakameguro. They offer special lunch sets during the week that include a salad, soup and drink buffet. They have free wifi and covered terrace seating located just behind the Meguro Ginza Playground. We went for an early …

Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama Honten is the mecca for Tonkatsu lovers. If you are in the Omotesando, Harajuku or Aoyama, it is the perfect place to enjoy the traditional meal of Japanese breaded fried pork. Tonkatsu (豚カツ, とんかつ, pork cutlet), is a popular Japanese dish often eaten at home made by deep-frying a breaded pork cutlet. …

Sun 2 Diner (サントゥーダイナー) is a great family-friendly dining spot in Nakameguro. They serve everything from delicious Tex Mex, rice plates, burgers and more. Our kids love the chili cheese fries (not spicy!), teriyaki chicken rice plate and hubs and I love their burgers and spicy nachos. Sun 2 Diner burgers …

La Jolla Mexican restaurant (ラ・ホイヤ) in Hiroo is a sure winner in our family from the cheese quesadillas for the little one to the big stuffed burrito plates for the teens. After a busy day on the town, Mexican food is a great filling and casual meal.  It`s popular with ex-pat families …

The Ebisu Food Hall is a large open restaurant space which is very family friendly. The designers wanted to create a space which had a New York style food hall feel – on a Japanese size level they have accomplished that.  The 117 seat eat-in space has four counters Bakery, Gourmet …

Sanuki Club Beer Garden is a hidden family friendly outside spot to spend a warm summer evening. We threw my husband’s surprise birthday party at the Sanuki Club Beer Garden last June, and it was a blast – friends, beer & BBQ, and outdoors in central Tokyo.  The Sanuki team …

Eating outside at Commune 2nd, Aoyama is fun for families with dogs!  Our family of seven has very different food cravings so having a choice of 15+ food and beverage stalls is perfect. From steak to salads, mojitos to lemonade, you can satisfy many cravings. Super bonus is that doggies can …

Locating a dinner restaurant with a kids` space for little ones is a struggle. Welcome Monteroza, a kid-friendly izakaya chain with play spaces, a private room where parents can relax and dine while the little ones play. Monteroza kids` spaces are furnished with soft toys, books, music or video entertainment, colorful wall-padding and …

Savoy Pizza Mishuku is one of our favorite local Napoli pizza spots located a short 10 minute walk from Setagaya Play Park Where Kids Build Fires, Saw Wood and Take Risks and Kodomo no Hiroba with Climbing Structures & Water Play. Our kids love watching the pizza chef kneading the dough …

With the weather warming up we`re suddenly craving Hawaiian food and outdoor seating. Luckily our favorite Hawaiian chain restaurant, Aloha Table Japan, has both. With over 30 locations in Japan, 15 in Tokyo, you`re sure to satisfy your Hawaiian food cravings. Walking into an Aloha Table restaurant makes you feel like …

If your kids are into trains and construction, D47 Shokudo is a great place to enjoy lunch or an afternoon tea. D47 is a great place to try food from different prefectures in Japan. From the 8th-floor-restaurant, you have a great view of Shibuya and Shibuya station which is presently under construction. My …