5 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Shinjuku, Tokyo
Looking for the best places to eat in Shinjuku area, Tokyo?? Shinjuku is one of the most popular areas to eat out in Tokyo, and there are various kinds of restaurants offering a wide variety of dishes in different price ranges. You can easily find places that can make you full with less than 1,000 yen ($10) as well as the world-class fine dining restaurants. If you are looking for a special dining experience in Shinjuku area, how about trying Michelin starred restaurants??
Tokyo is home to over 200 Michelin starred restaurants (including 12 three Michelin starred restaurants as of 2020) which is the most in the most in the whole world. Currently, 5 restaurants with Michelin stars are located within Shinjuku area and accessible from Shinjuku Station. In this article, I’d like to share the best Michelin-Star restaurants in Shinjuku! French, Kaiseki and Ramen, pick your favourite and have the most wonderful dining experience in Japan!
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.
1. Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima
Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima (新宿割烹 中嶋) is a traditional Japanese restaurant which earned Michelin 1-star in 2008. The chef Nakajima offers authentic yet innovative Japanese Kappo cuisine with carefully selected seasonal ingredients. The dishes in Nakajima is based on the traditional culinary art from Kansai region (western Japan) that’s where he is from.
Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima is also known as one of the cheapest Michelin star restaurants in Tokyo, offering affordable lunch set meals. Mainly sardine dishes are served during lunch time in various style such as Sashimi, deep-fried in breadcrumbs and hot pot dish. It is too good to be true but you can taste the Michelin star dishes as cheap as 800 yen ($8).
<<Reserve Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima Michelin 1-star in Tokyo>>
Access: 3 mins walk from Shinjuku Station
Hours: Lunch 11:30~14:00/Dinner 17:30~21:30
Closed: Sunday
Budget: Lunch 1,000 yen/Dinner 10,000 ~15,000 yen
Genre: Japanese, Kappo Cuisine
2. Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu
Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu (Sobahouse 金色不如帰 新宿御苑本店) is one of three Ramen restaurants in Tokyo that hold a Michelin star. The significant Shio Ramen (salt base) is served with the triple soup with Hamaguri clams, sea bream and dried stock, blended with the perfect balance. The bowl of Ramen is topped with a special sauce with porcini mushroom and truffle whieh gives unique and aromatic flavours to it.
If you have been eating the mainstream rich pork broth Ramen, you should definitely taste this delicate yet distinctive bowl of noodles to have a whole new Ramen experience. As Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu is one of the busiest Ramen restaurants in Tokyo, be ready to wait up to 1 hour.
Access: 3 mins walk from Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station
Hours: Lunch 11:30~15:00/Dinner 18:30~21:30 (Dinner is closed on Sunday)
Closed: Monday
Budget: 1,000 yen
Genre: Ramen
3. Seika Kobayashi
Seika Kobayashi (青華こばやし) is a traditional Japanese Kappo cuisine restaurant which is awarded one Michelin star. The restaurant is especially famous for seafood dishes using fresh seafood products from all over Japan. Using only the selected seasonal products, the course dishes at Seika Kobayashi vary depending on the season or even on the day in order to serve the best ingredients at the best condition.
The restaurant has a limited seats of only 18 (6 counter seats and 2 tables), so making a reservation is a must. At the counter seats, guests can observe the high-skilled cooking technique of the chef Kobayashi. It’s a bit far to access directly from Shinjuku Station (about 2 km away), but it takes only 5 mins by metro to the nearest station (Yotsuya Sanchome Station).
<<Reserve Seika Kobayashi Michelin 1-Star Kaiseki in Tokyo>>
Access: 5 mins walk from Yotsuya Sanchome Station or Akebonocho Station
Hours: 12:00~21:30 (reservation only)
Budget: 20,000~30,000 yen
Genre: Japanese, Kappo Cuisine
4. Le Mange-Tout
Le Mange-Tout (ルマンジュトゥー) is a fine French restaurant with one Michelin star, owned by the proficient chef Noboru Tani who has been dedicating his life in the world of French cuisine for over 45 years. He has worked in some of the most famous Michelin starred restaurants in France such as Au Crocodile and Schillinger, and is now one of the most renowned French cuisine chefs in the world. His ever progressing, innovative and sophisticated French course dishes are made with finely selected seasonal ingredients. Not only taste amazing but so beautiful to look at.
Le Mange-Tout is actually located in Kagurazaka area, which is slightly distanced from Shinjuku Station, yet still within Shinjuku Ward and can be accessed within 10 mins to the nearest station (Ushigome Kagurazaka Station). This is a true hidden gem for food lovers as it’s situated within a quiet residential area and has only 14 seats. So make sure to book your seats in advance if you are planning to visit Tokyo.
<<Reservation for Le Mange-Tout, Michelin star,Tokyo>>
Access: 6 mins walk from Ushigome Kagurazaka Station (Oedo Line)
Hours: 18:30~21:00
Closed: Sunday
Budget: 20,000~30,000 yen
Genre: French
5. Cuisine[s] Michel Troisgros <<CLOSED>>
Cuisine[s] Michel Troisgros (キュイジーヌ[s] ミッシェル・トロワグロ) is a Michelin 2-star restaurant, serving the inventive and inspirational French cuisine. Michel Troisgros is the third generation of the Troisgros family who owns the world’s most renowned French restaurant, Troisgros, which has been awarded three Michelin stars since 1968. Cuisine[s] Michel Troisgros is the only place in Japan where you can experience the high-end and inventive French cuisine course under the supervision of Chef Michel Troisgros.
The restaurant is located on 1st floor of the luxurious hotel, Hyatt Regency, and can be accessed within 10 mins walk from JR Shinjuku Station. For slightly more budget option, visiting there for lunch is recommended. But make sure to book a table before visiting as it’s one of the most popular French restaurants in Tokyo.
<<Reservation for Michel Troisgros,Michelin 2-star,Tokyo>>
Access: 9 mins walk from JR Shinjuku Station West Exit
Hours: Lunch 12:00~13:30/Dinner 18:00~20:00
Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday
Budget: Lunch 10,000~15,000 yen/Dinner 20,000~30,000 yen
Genre: French
Thanks for reading! These restaurants are some of the hardest ones to get a table in Tokyo, so make sure to reserve your seat in advance through the attached links and have the most amazing dining experience in Tokyo!
For more information about eating out in Tokyo, here are some more articles for foodies 😉
▽Related Articles▽
▼Editor’s Picks▼
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 🌈