16 Little-Known Restaurants You'll Want to Visit in Ueno Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 15 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

16 Little-Known Restaurants You'll Want to Visit in Ueno

When you think of Ueno, you might be imagining the lively bars of Ameyoko, but did you know there are many stylish, little-known restaurants and places that are perfect for dates? Here are 16 perfect spots for a romantic night out in Ueno. There are so many options to choose from, including Italian and other Western standards, restaurants offering fresh seafood, and quirky bars for something a little different. You'll be sure to find something perfect for date night!

See full listings of Japanese Cuisine restaurants found in and around Ueno.

1. Tosa Shimizu World Ueno branch

Enjoy a range of regional Tosa cuisine and sake (Japanese alcohol) at Tosa Shimizu World Ueno branch. This restaurant offers a fantastic lineup of dishes made from fresh seafood brought in from the Kochi region. You'll definitely want to try the [Warayaki Salted and Seared Kochi Bonito] with its exquisite seasoning and aroma of straw fire cooking, or the [Shimizu Mackerel Whole Fish Sashimi], made with fresh Tosa Shimizu brand mackerel. The interior of this restaurant is designed with semi-private rooms that are perfect for anyone who values a sense of privacy and are great for dates as well. For a casual date, enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere at the counter seats.

Tosa Shimizu World Ueno branch

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 0:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm) [Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 11:30 am - 0:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 3 minutes walk from the central exit of [Ueno Station] on JR Yamanote Line
Address: 2F, FUNDES Ueno, 7-2-4 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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2. BAR LEON

Enjoy a sophisticated date in a stylish atmosphere at BAR LEON. Its comfortable, and the red and black toned interior is perfect for anyone who wants to relax over a meal. Items of note on the menu include the [Beef Tendon Red Wine Stew] made with high-quality A5 Mie beef, the [Daily Galette], which is baked to order, and a rich variety of other dishes that demonstrate the restaurant’s care for their ingredients. There is a wide range of stylish drinks, including cocktails made with a generous serving of seasonal fruit, making this is a great location for a date with plenty of atmospheres.

BAR LEON

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 6:00 pm - 4:00 am (L.O. 3:30 am)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Exit A3 of Ueno-hirokoji Station
Address: 2F, KII Bldg., 2-11-1, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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3. Maguro Basara Ueno

Maguro Basara Ueno offers fresh tuna sourced directly from Misaki Fishing Port. They serve up tuna in a variety of ways, including sashimi, skewered, and flame broiled. Try different types of tuna in the [Tuna Full Assortment], or stewed tuna head in the [Basara Yaki] dish. The menu offers a full range of tuna based dishes, making it a place where tuna lovers will want to check out. The black-toned interior has a Japanese atmosphere and is very stylish, so it's a perfect spot for dinner out to celebrate a special occasion. Why not bring a special someone along for a date?

Maguro Basara Ueno

Open: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Food L.O. 11:00 pm, Drink L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from Ueno Station
Address: 4F, Central 21 Bldg., 2-12-1, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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4. Kurofune-tei

Kurofune-tei is a long-standing Western-style restaurant that has inherited a legacy that dates back to the Meiji era. They serve authentic, labor-intensive Western-style dishes, all of which are absolute delights. Must-try choices include the excellent [Beef Stew] made with homemade demi-glace sauce and tender Japanese beef, and the [Kurofune-tei Style Seafood Pot] which features the restaurant’s original bouillabaisse made with white sauce. You’ll be satisfied with the variety of Western-style dishes here, all of which have been prepared to bring out the most flavor from their ingredients. Its bright, comfortable, and spacious interior is a good choice for anyone who gets nervous easily or those going on a first date. You’ll be sure to delight your partner with the unique types of Western-style dishes to try here.

Kurofune-tei

Open: 11:30 am - 10:45 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from Ueno Station
Address: 4F, Kikuya Bldg., 2-13-13, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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5. Kamakura House

At Kamakura House, you can get a taste of the bounties of Shonan's oceans and mountains. Guests can enjoy Japanese and Western-style dishes made with fresh Kamakura vegetables, freshly-caught Kamakura whitebait, and Misaki tuna. The flavors and the beautiful, colorful presentation of their dishes are particularly exceptional! A recommended item is the [Boiled Kamakura Whitebait Pizza]. The generous serving of freshly-caught Kamakura whitebait on pizza is incredibly delicious! Why not try sharing it with your date? Take some time and relax in Kamakura House’s warm, comfortable interior.

Kamakura House

Open: [Weekdays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 4:00 pm (L.O. 3:30 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Monday
Open if Monday is a National Holiday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from the Ike no Hata Exit of Keisei Ueno Station, 2-minute walk from the Shinobazu Gate of JR Ueno Station
Address: 1F, APA Hotel Keisei Ueno-Ekimae, 2-14-26, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

6. Proost Tokyo

At Proost Tokyo, you can enjoy handmade sausages and a variety of smoked dishes. The additive-free sausages served here are the restaurant’s signature dish and are made entirely by hand from casing to boiling. The [Daily Smoked Menu] is made with the restaurant’s smoker from a selection of ingredients that changes daily, and you can enjoy daily specials with ingredients like liver, cheese, chicken breast, egg, pike, or bacon. The interior has a brown color scheme and is fully equipped with private rooms. Italian or Japanese food is great for a date, but this is a great choice for those times when you feel like trying something a little different.

Proost Tokyo

Open: [Monday - Thursday, Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 4:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
[Friday, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 4:00 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:00 am)
Open from 3:00 pm on the last Friday of the month
Closed: Irregular
Closed December 31st, January 1st, January 8th
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from Exit A3 of Ueno-okachimachi Station
Address: 6F, K-PLAZA Bldg., 2-1-9, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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7. Garniture

Garniture’s menu is based around French cuisine, and also features a range of Italian and Spanish dishes. The menu is full of unique selections like [Kirishima Chicken Confit with Truffle Salt and Honey Mustard], which is made with Miyazaki-sourced Kirishima chicken that has been steamed at low temperatures for 6 hours, and the [Daily Bouillabaisse], made with the day's pick of fresh seafood. The reasonable prices are a happy bonus! The calm atmosphere here makes space feel very comfortable so you can enjoy relaxing with someone special. A birthday dessert plate is also available - a perfect place for celebrating a special day!

Garniture

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 2:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
[Sunday, National Holidays] 2:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Reservations can be made outside regular opening hours.
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,300 JPY
Access: Within a 1 minute walk from Ueno-hirokoji Station on the Ginza Line. Walk in the opposite direction after exiting from Exit A3, and it's on the 4th floor of K-PLAZA, the 2nd building on your right.
Address: 4F, K-PLAZA, 2-1-9, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

8. Sakaeya

Sakaeya prides themselves on their creative dishes made with delicious fresh fish and meat. The wide-ranging menu includes the [Fresh Fish Assortment] that comes with a generous serving of carefully-sourced fresh fish, and the [Grilled Angus Beef Carpaccio with Wanpaku Egg Yolk and Truffle Salt], made with tender and fine-textured Angus beef. The soft lighting in the private rooms here lends a romantic atmosphere. Enjoying a meal without having to pay any attention to your surroundings is sure to bring you closer to your date. This is a perfect restaurant for evenings when you want to share an intimate date.

Sakaeya

Open: 4:00 pm - 12:00 am
Closed: None
Closed on January 6th and 7th, so please make reservations online on these days.
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Ueno Station. Continue north on Chuo Street.
Address: 3F, 455 Ueno Bldg., 4-5-5, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

9. Bistro-ya Ueno Eki-mae Branch

If you're looking to enjoy a delicious meal in a stylish restaurant, Bistroya Ueno Eki-mae Branch is the perfect choice. You’ll be satisfied by their variety of filling, meat-based dishes. Their menu consists of items like the meltingly-tender [Beef Tendon Simmered in Red Wine (With Baguette)] and [Beef Skirt Steak (Chaliapin/Pink Salt)], made with thick-cut beef skirt steak. These dishes come in generous servings that are perfect to share as a couple! The restaurant has private rooms so you can enjoy a special dinner in an intimate atmosphere.

Bistro-ya Ueno Eki-mae Branch

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday] Dinner 4:00 pm - 1:00 am
[Wednesday, Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 4:00 pm - 12:00 am
[Friday, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 4:00 pm - 4:30 am
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Shinobazu Gate of Ueno Station
Address: 7F, Plaza U Bldg., 4-8-6, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

10. IROHA Ueno Branch

Enjoy a menu with a focus on healthy Japanese dishes at IROHA Ueno Branch. Recommendations include their creative Japanese dishes made with fresh fish sourced directly from the market or hot pot dishes made with ingredients like Iberian pork or Kuroge Wagyu (a type of high-quality beef). Their reasonably priced and adorable looking pinchos are perfect for a date. All rooms here are completely private. The chic lighting accented by glittering chandeliers makes this a perfect place to spend some quality time together with your partner. There are birthday plans and complimentary dessert plates available, so why not consider this restaurant to enjoy a celebration meal with your special someone?

IROHA Ueno Branch

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 5:00 am
[Sunday, National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 12:00 am
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Ueno Station
Address: 5F, Nagafuji Bldg., 4-9-6, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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11. GABURICO Ueno Eki-mae Branch

If you're in the mood for a hearty serving of meat-based dishes, check out GABURICO Ueno Eki-mae Branch! The menu features unique meat dishes made with the chef’s carefully selected cuts of beef, pork, and chicken. [Beef Tomahawk Steak Rib Roast on the Bone] is a particularly filling choice that is packed with delicious umami (Japanese savory taste). Another recommendation is the [Assortment of 5 Grilled Meats], a generous lineup of carefully selected cuts of shoulder roast, Wagyu neck, Wagyu tendon, beef fillet, and tri-tip. The restaurant is furnished with comfortable sofa seating, which is great for dates. Enjoy sharing some hearty meat dishes.

GABURICO Ueno Eki-mae Branch

Open: Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am
Reservation concierge is available from 10:00 am to 12:00 am daily. Can assist with special requests, price estimates, or scheduling.
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,980 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from Ueno Station
Address: 4F, Watanabe Ueno Bldg., 6-13-2, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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12. Takebun

Takebun pride themselves on their unique dishes made using fresh seasonal fish. In addition to fish prepared according to the season, diners can also enjoy conger eel sourced directly from Tokyo Bay. One dish you can't miss from the menu is [Grilled Conger Eel], which is prepared “shiroyaki” style (grilled without sauces or seasonings), so you can enjoy the full natural flavors. This simple shirayaki grilling, done individually for each skewered piece of eel in-store, is highly aromatic and brings out the natural quality of the ingredients. Another recommendation is the [Cubed Pork Stew], which offers the perfectly matched flavors of dashi (broth) and pork fat. This restaurant has a warm atmosphere with both table and counter seating. If you're on a date, try the counter seats and chat with the chef while enjoying the day’s recommendations.

Takebun

Open: [Weekdays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
[Saturday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / Course menu from 5,500 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from the Shinobazu Gate or Hirokoji Exit of Ueno Station
Address: 2F, Takebun Bldg., 6-13-6, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

13. Kamadoya Ueno

At Kamadoya Ueno, you can have a relaxing date in their private rooms with a traditional Japanese-style house atmosphere. They serve Japanese-style dishes made from carefully selected ingredients sourced directly from their producing area. [Daily Basket Assortment of Seasonal Fish] offers the day’s recommended fresh fish prepared in your choice of two of the following methods: sashimi, grilled, stewed, fried, namero (finely minced and seasoned), or nigiri sushi. The aroma of abalone and aonori seaweed in the [Steamed Abalone Grilled with Liver] is another good example of how this Japanese menu offers a taste of the natural flavor of the ingredients. The horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu table) style seating is so comfortable, you'll lose track of time here! This is a great spot to head to for a sophisticated date.

Kamadoya Ueno

Open: [Weekdays] 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 10:45 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 2:00 pm - 11:30 pm
Closed: Beginning and end of the year
Average price: 5,000 JPY / Courses priced at 5,000 JPY, 6,000 JPY, and 7,000 JPY available.
Access: 3-minute walk from the Hirokoji Exit of Ueno Station
Address: 6F, Shintonoda Bldg., 6-13-9, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

14. Tohoku Shoten Ueno Eki-mae Branch

You can savor the taste of regional Tohoku staples in Ueno at this restaurant. Particular recommendations include the [Sendai Miso-Grilled Hinai Chicken] with its irresistible combination of Sendai miso and juicy Hinai chicken, the [Grilled Pickled Beef Tongue] pickled in the restaurant’s secret sauce, and [Broiled Thick-Cut Beef Tongue], a dish that allows the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine. Don’t forget to sample the collection of famous sake brands available here, too. Couples who enjoy drinking will love the combination of local Tohoku dishes accompanied by their choice of Japanese sake and shochu (another type of Japanese alcohol). Enjoy Tohoku’s famous dishes in a space full of regional flavor.

Tohoku Shoten Ueno Eki-mae Branch

Open: 3:00 pm - 12:00 am (Please make reservations the day before for seatings from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: Located right next to Ueno Station
Address: 2F, For Life Ueno Eki-mae Bldg., 6-16-15, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

15. Sakanoue

Sakanoue pride themselves on their dishes made with carefully selected ingredients and their range of sake. They have a varied menu consisting of seafood, fried, and meat dishes. You won't want to miss the [Five Sashimi Assortment], which offers a wide array of seasonal fish including pickled mackerel, tuna, and amberjack, [Katsupon], which is full of the delicious flavors of Japanese beef, and the [Broiled Picked Mackerel], made with irresistibly delicious mackerel pickled perfectly in-house. There are over 20 types of sake available, so pick the type that best matches your taste and the foods you’re pairing it with. This restaurant is perfect for a night when you want to take your time conversing over a drink or two.

Sakanoue

Open: [Weekdays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (Food L.O. 10:30 pm, Drink L.O. 11:00 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 4:00 pm - 11:30 pm (Food L.O. 10:30 pm, Drink L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Ueno Station or Okachimachi Station
Address: 3F, Gomi Bldg., 6-8-4, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

16. Yamazakura Ueno Main Branch

Yamazakura Ueno Main Branch boasts a wide variety of sake and seafood dishes. Popular dishes include the [Yamazakura Specialty Kaidan-Mori], a gorgeous assortment of fish sourced directly from fishing ports all over Japan, and the [Grilled Skewer Platter] that can be ordered piece by piece. These dishes pair perfectly with drinks like sake, shochu, and craft beer, so choose the drinks you’d like and match them with some of these excellent dishes! The interior is decorated in a modern Japanese style, with counter seats, table seats, and booths. The counter seats are recommended for dates. Have a special night enjoying delicious sake and seasonal fish.

Yamazakura Ueno Main Branch

Open: Dinner 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk from Ueno Station. It's on the 4th floor of the Nandaimon Ueno Eki-mae Building right by the Asakusa Exit.
Address: 4F, Nandaimon Ueno Eki-mae Bldg., 7-2-1, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.