Ueno Food Guide
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Ueno is often called “Tokyo’s gateway to the north”. It’s a great place to experience Tokyo’s local vibes and food. There are a number of long-established restaurants around. Check out the top 10 restaurants in the Ueno area chosen by locals and tourists!
1. Inshotei (韻松亭)
The first restaurant on this list is Inshotei (韻松亭). This is a long-running Kaiseki dish restaurant, located just a few minutes walk from Ueno Station. They have been serving traditional Japanese Kaiseki cuisine since its inception all the way back in 1875.
Surrounded by the greenery of Ueno park, you can experience the top quality food in a quiet environment that will make you forget that you’re in the middle of Tokyo.
 Access |
6 minute walk from Ueno Station (JR Lines) |
|---|---|
 Business Hours |
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM / 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
 Price |
Lunch: ~ 3,000 yen / Dinner: Around 10,000 yen |
 Genre |
Kaiseki |
 Official Website |
https://www.innsyoutei.jp/en/ |
For more information about Inshotei, check out the following article: Inshotei: Kaiseki Restaurant in Ueno
2. Izu-ei (伊豆栄)
Next on our list, we have Izu-ei (伊豆榮). This is an Unagi (eel) restaurant that has been in business since the Edo period and is one of the very few restaurants to overcome numerous war battles and natural disasters throughout the years. The interior of the restaurant has an elegant atmosphere which contrasts nicely with Ueno’s rushy feeling outside.
| Access |
5 minute walk from Ueno Station (JR Lines) |
|---|---|
| Business Hours |
11:00 - 21:00 |
| Price |
Lunch: about 3,000 yen / Dinner: about 4,000 yen |
| Genre |
Unagi (eel) |
| Official Website |
http://www.izuei.co.jp/ |
For more information about Izu-ei, check out the following article: Izu-ei: Popular Unagi Restaurant in Ueno
3. Uguisudanien (鶯谷園)
Uguisudanien (鶯谷園) is an extremely popular yakiniku (BBQ) restaurant near Uguisudani Station. Its popularity comes mostly from its great price deals considering the high-quality meat that they offer.
It might be difficult to get a reservation (even a month in anticipation) due to its popularity, but if you get to eat here, a great experience will be pretty much guaranteed according to the restaurant reviews. If you’re looking for a Yakiniku restaurant, might as well be one that has great reviews.
| Access |
2 minute walk from Uguisudani Station (JR Line) |
|---|---|
| Business Hours |
Mon-Fri: 16:00 - 0:30 / Sat, Sun, Holidays: 15:00 - 0:00 |
| Price |
5,000 yen ~ |
| Genre |
Yakiniku |
For more information about Uguisudanien, check out the following article: Uguisudanien: Delicious and Affordable Yakiniku (BBQ) in Ueno, Tokyo
4. Yamabe Okachimachi (山家 御徒町店)
Next on the list, we have Yamabe Okachimachi (山家 御徒町店). This Tonkatsu restaurant is popular in the area for its great Tonkatsu which can be enjoyed for under 1,000 yen.
The place has a cozy feel, having space for 26 seats. They also offer takeout in case you would like to just pass by and get some great Tonkatsu to eat back at your hotel. One thing you should be careful of is that they do not accept credit cards, so be sure to have cash with you.
| Access |
1 minute walk from Okachimachi Station (JR Liens) |
|---|---|
| Business Hours |
Lunch 11:00~15:00/Dinner 17:00~21:30 |
| Price |
~ 1,000 yen |
| Genre |
Tonkatsu |
For more information about Yamabe Okachimachi, check out the following article: Yamabe Okachimachi: Tonkatsu Restaunrant under 1,000 yen in Ueno
5. Isomaru Suisan Ueno (磯丸水産 上野店)
Isomaru Suisan (磯丸水産) is an Izakaya chain that specializes in seafood. There are actually two branches located near Ueno Station. The closest one is just 2 minutes away on foot and is large, having seats for 100 customers.
The most attractive thing about this Izakaya is that you can enjoy the freshest seafood at a reasonable price. And since this is an Izakaya, you can enjoy it along with your favorite alcoholic beverage. We do recommend Japanese sake to drink along with seafood.
| Access |
2 minute walk from Ueno Station (JR Lines) |
|---|---|
| Business Hours |
11:00 - 5:00 |
| Price |
Lunch: ~ 1,000 yen / Dinner: around 4,000 yen |
| Genre |
Seafood Izakaya |
| Official Website |
https://isomaru.jp/ |
For more information about Isomaru Suisan Ueno, check out the following article: Isomaru Suisan Ueno: Popular Seafood Izakaya in Ueno
6. Hard Rock Cafe Uyeno-Eki Tokyo (ハードロックカフェ上野駅店)
Hard Rock Cafe Uyeno-Eki Tokyo (ハードロックカフェ上野駅店) is a good choice for those who are craving large-size, American-style food.
The first attractive thing about this restaurant is that it is located at Ueno Station, meaning that you won’t need to worry that much about missing your train back home.
The restaurant has space for 112 seats, and they offer all the great food that Hard Rock Cafe is famous for. They also have their famous shop where you can get a souvenir.
| Access |
Located inside JR Ueno Station |
|---|---|
| Business Hours |
10:00 - 22:00 |
| Price |
Lunch: ~ 2,000 yen / Dinner: around 4,000 yen |
| Genre |
American food |
| Official Website |
https://hardrockjapan.com/location/uyeno/ |
For more information about Hard Rock Cafe Ueno, check out the following article: The Hard Rock Cafe Ueno-Eki
7. Sushi Zanmai (すしざんまい)
Best mid-range Sushi place
Sushi Zanmai (すしざんまい) is a highly popular sushi restaurant chain that you can find in many locations across Japan. It is popular for being a mid-range Sushi place that is open for extended hours, making it accessible for many who feel like eating sushi, at pretty much any time.
The Sushi Zanmai in Ueno is located just about 5 minutes away from the station by foot. Their most popular sushi topping is definitely the Maguro (tuna sushi). If you decide to try out this restaurant, don’t forget to order it!
| Access |
5 minute walk from Ueno Station (JR Lines) |
|---|---|
| Business Hours |
11:00 - 6:00 |
| Price |
Lunch: ~ 2,000 yen / Dinner: ~ 3,000 yen |
| Genre |
Sushi |
| Official Website |
https://honyaku.j-server.com/LUCSUSHIZA/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.kiyomura.co.jp/store/detail/20?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XJSID=0 |
For more information about Sushi Zanmai, check out the following article: Sushi Zanmai Ueno: Quality but Affordable Sushi in Ueno
8. Ramen Ippudo (一風堂)
Ramen Ippudo (一風堂) is a highly popular ramen restaurant that specializes in preparing true rich and creamy Hakata-style ramen. You will find many of these Ippudo restaurants across the country. The one near Ueno is located just a few minutes walking from Okachimachi station.
The first Ippudo was established in 1985 in Fukuoka, and since then they create true Hakata style “Tonkotsu Ramen” with rich and creamy pork broth soup topped with spicy red paste.
| Access |
3 minute walk from Okachimachi Station (JR Lines) |
|---|---|
| Business Hours |
11:00 - 22:00 |
 Closed |
Thursdays |
| Price |
~ 1,000 yen |
| Genre |
Ramen (Tonkotsu) |
| Official Website |
https://stores.ippudo.com/en/1125 |
For more information about Ramen Ippudo, check out the following article: Ramen Ippudo in Ueno, Tokyo
9. Nezu Terusumi (根津 照隅)
Nezu Terusumi (根津 照隅) is a Yakitori restaurant located right next to Nezu Station of the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. The only use Hinai chicken (比内地鶏) which is said to be one of the three best types of chicken in Japan. Although being a Yakitori restaurant, they specialize in preparing many different kinds of chicken recipes. The recommendation is the course which allows you to try out a wide variety of the quality dishes they have to offer.
It might be a little removed from Ueno compared to the other restaurants on this list, but it is without a doubt one of the more popular Yakitori places around.
| Access |
1 minute walk from Nezu Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line) |
|---|---|
| Business Hours |
17:30 - 23:00 |
| Closed |
Thursdays |
| Price |
~ 5,000 yen |
| Genre |
Yakitori |
| Official Website |
https://terusumi.gorp.jp/ |
10. Ueno Yabusoba (上野藪そば)
Lastly, on our list, we have Ueno Yabusoba (上野藪そば). As you can infer from its name, this is a Soba restaurant where you can enjoy freshly prepared buckwheat noodles. It is a long-running business that has been in this same spot for over 130 years!
The outer appearance of the restaurant doesn’t look that different compared to the restaurants around, but you will be surprised by the quality and taste of the Soba noodles that have been passed through the generations.
| Access |
2 minute walk from Ueno Station (JR Lines) |
|---|---|
| Business Hours |
11:30 - 15:00 / 17:30 - 21:00 |
| Closed |
Wednesdays, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month |
| Price |
1,000 - 2,000 yen |
| Genre |
Soba |
| Official Website |
https://uenoyabusoba-global.jimdosite.com/ |
For more information about Yabu Soba, check out the following article: Yabu Soba: Long-Established Soba Restaurant in Ueno
11. Sasanoyuki (笹乃雪): Closed for undetermined period
*Please note that Sasanoyuki is momentarily closed due to relocation.
Sasanoyuki (笹乃雪) is a restaurant that cannot be discarded from this list. This is a Japanese restaurant that specializes in Tofu. This restaurant has been in business for over 300 years, making it an important part of the city culture at this point.
Since their specialty is Tofu, you can enjoy tofu in many different types of recipes as well as enjoy different types of Tofu. If you thought tofu was a simple food ingredient, you will be surprised at the numerous variations in their menu backed up by their many years of experience.
For more information about Sasanoyuki, check out the following article: Sasanoyuki: Long-Established Tofu Restaurant in Ueno
▽Here are the lists of more recommended restaurants in other areas of Tokyo▽
▶︎List of Best Restaurants in Tokyo
▶︎List of Best Restaurants in Shibuya
▶︎List of Best Restaurants in Shinjuku
▶︎List of Best Restaurants in Harajuku
▶︎List of Best Restaurants in Ginza
▶︎List of Best Restaurants in Asakusa
▶︎List of Best Restaurants in Roppongi
▶︎List of Best Restaurants around Tokyo Station
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Written by
"The world is my oyster" A globetrotter 🌎 and hammock lover 🌞 who loves taking adventures to fuel wanderlust. Born and raised in Japan, I have spend almost a decade living and exploring countries across the world. Based on my travel experience, I'd love to share my knowledge and tips for travelling with my readers. I hope my stories help you plan your trip and have a great time in Japan 🌈
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