10 Best Restaurants for Birthday Dinner in Tokyo

A birthday anywhere in the world is a special occasion, but nothing quite compares to a birthday in Tokyo. For many, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip, filled with must-visit attractions like Tokyo’s neon-lit streets, spacious parks, city temples and so much more.

That’s where we come in, making sure you know the best places to celebrate a birthday dinner in Tokyo. Make memories in the biggest city in the world, surrounded by people you love, a few drinks, and all the traditional Japanese foods you could ever desire.

From cozy eateries to upscale venues, there’s a restaurant for every birthday… Let’s get the party started!

Budget: $$$$

Give your Tokyo birthday a sleek, almost futuristic setting at VinIX, an Azabu Juban restaurant that blends French fine dining with yakiniku — a combination that was recognized with a spot in the Japan Brand Collection, highlighting the country's top eateries. 

The restaurant treats dry-aged steak like precious gold, with a sleek corridor leading to a deposit box-inspired private space adorned in ruby-red and black tones. In keeping with the theme, their Beef Bank System lets guests buy premium cuts and store them for custom dry-aging, enhancing flavor over time. 

Since it’s your birthday and all, only the finest will do: VinIX’s Tamura beef, a premium wagyu from Tajima cattle, known as the "father of all wagyu," raised on a special wheat diet and serenaded by classical music.

Since it’s your birthday in Tokyo and all, don’t you think their Anniversary Plan + Tamura Wagyu Course sounds perfect for the occasion? This tasting menu blends French and Japanese influences, featuring dishes like Tamura wagyu tartare, foie gras and seasonal fish. Led by Chef Saotome Tatsuya, the team of four — a sommelier, bartender and master griller — promises a unique dining experience.

You can also request an optional table art dessert, making your special occasion even more photo-worthy!

Find out more: Tokyo Restaurants Meat Lovers Will Adore

Budget: $$$$

With a name as unique as their menu, Crony, the two Michelin-starred restaurant in Motoazabu, will make sure you have an elegant backdrop for your special day.

Chef Michihiro Haruta, with his prestigious background at top Michelin restaurants, and sommelier Kazutaka Ozawa, a renowned wine expert, redefine the concept of dining through sustainability. They prioritize not just quality, but environmental responsibility, using sun- and wind-dried salt, avoiding endangered fish and supporting local farmers.

Each dish of the carefully crafted menu — helmed by Chef Haruta — is paired with a wine from sommelier Ozawa. Each of the 18 courses is created by marrying domestic Japanese ingredients with French and Scandinavian cooking techniques, honed in some of the finest kitchens from all over the world.

Being recognized with two Michelin Stars and a Green Star for sustainability in 2021, this is the stamp of approval for a birthday celebration well spent.

Budget: $$$

The charming neighborhood eatery REGINA has quickly become a standout in Kinshicho’s contemporary Italian scene, blending a stylish ambiance with elevated pizzas, pasta and more. In fact, since "Regina" means “queen” in Italian, celebrate like royalty in the restaurant's refined atmosphere.

The elegant, light-filled dining room features curved cherry-red banquettes, geometric tiles and a sleek black color scheme, while a glass-enclosed wine cellar adds sophistication. A terrace with olive trees and a sparkling pool completes the romantic, picture-perfect setting.

The menu offers modern twists on classic Italian dishes, including daily pasta specials with foie gras and daikon, fresh fish prepared in various ways and highlights like Margherita pizza, creamy carbonara and porcini mushroom risotto. 

Over on the premium cuts side of the menu, you can indulge in Kagoshima black pork, kuroge wagyu, and Seiryu chicken thighs with zesty green pepper sauce.

Opt for their Regine Prix Fixe Course and along with many of the exquisite dishes described above, you’ll also get to enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne, a delectable dessert and your choice of coffee or tea.

Budget: $$$

At Sushi Hajime in Shibuya, Chef Takahoshi Hiroshi emphasizes the balance between neta (toppings) and shari (rice) in sushi. While his fish is fresh, directly sourced from Toyosu Market, it’s the rice that truly sets his sushi apart; crafted with Aizu Koshihikari rice, known for its sweetness, stickiness and unique glow.

Cooked traditionally in a hagama pot and seasoned with an original blend of red vinegar, it elevates every piece of Edomae-style sushi.

The restaurant’s name — meaning "beginning" — reflects Chef Takahoshi’s hope that each bite sparks a deep connection with Japanese food and culture. The abalone in liver sauce, slow-cooked to tender perfection, is a standout dish that often captures guests’ hearts.

The nigiri-centric Omakase Dinner Course is an invitation to guests to appreciate both the impeccable quality of the seasonal ingredients used at Sushi Hajime, but also the sheer artistry of Chef Takahoshi's technique across a selection of appetizers, small plates, nigiri sushi, tamagoyaki rolled omelet and soup.

Find out more: Different Types of Sushi

Budget: $$$

Shibahama’s story draws inspiration from the classic rakugo tale of a lazy drunkard and his devoted wife, but with a real-life twist: no drunkards, only a loving power couple in Japan’s culinary scene — Chef Nakashita Yoshio and his wife, Tomomi, an expert sake sommelier.

Chef Nakashita trained at the 3-Michelin-starred Hyotei in Kyoto and met Tomomi during his apprenticeship. After relocating to Tokyo, they opened Ginza Shibahama together in 2022, blending sushi and kappo cuisine.

With Chef Nakashita’s Michelin-star expertise in seasonal dishes and Tomomi’s impeccable sake pairings, Ginza Shibahama exudes a nostalgic Edo-period hospitality — further elevated by the couple’s love for each other and traditional Japanese cuisine.

For a Tokyo birthday dinner you’ll never forget, explore the full selection of byFood-original course menus, featuring wagyu beef, sushi and a combination of wine or sake pairings — or both, if you want to go all out.

Find out more: Best restaurants in Ginza

Budget: $$$

For a high-impact birthday dinner in Tokyo that’s as stylish as it is Instagrammable, celebrate at Warayaki. What sets this restaurant apart? The ancient art of straw-grilling (warayaki) originated in Kochi Prefecture in the 17th century, where fishermen seared line-caught bonito over straw, imparting a smoky aroma and satisfying texture. 

While renowned for its straw-grilled bonito, the restaurant extends this technique to a variety of seasonal ingredients, including sirloin steak and salmon tartare, enhancing flavors with smoke. Even desserts like chocolate terrine are given a twist, infused with sansho pepper for a spicy afterburn.

The warayaki process, with flames reaching over 900°C, is a captivating sight. Guests can watch the chefs skillfully handle the flames from the counter seating in the open kitchen, or opt for a quieter experience on the second floor or in a private room. Whether you’re relaxing in a stylish window booth or chatting at the marble counter, this is a Tokyo birthday you’ll remember.

Treat yourself to the “Dinner WARAYAKI Omakase Course with Asahi Beer” and enjoy a five-item assortment of appetizers, followed by hon-maguro bluefin tuna, warayaki-style oysters, sirloin steak and other Kochi delicacies. Plus, nothing says “Happy birthday!” quite like raising a glass of crisp Asahi beer to another great year.

Find out more: Japanese Culinary Specialties: 47 Regional Cuisines

Budget: $$

What kind of birthday venue are you looking for? Niku-Azabu has a restaurant for all vibes, from the chic, relaxed atmosphere of Niku-Azabu Nishi Azabu and the trendy bar setting of Niku-Azabu Roppongi to the welcoming gastropub vibes of Niku-Azabu Shinbashi.

Still not found the one for you? You might prefer the dark woods and chill bar atmosphere of Niku-Azabu Ebisu or the cozy, rustic charm of Niku-Azabu Futako-Tamagawa.

Honestly, no matter which branch you choose, one thing won’t change: only the finest cuts of A5-grade wagyu beef — and a selection of other fresh, seasonal ingredients — will ever make their way to the grill in front of you. That’s Niku-Azabu’s promise, along with giving premium yakiniku in Tokyo a much more approachable price tag!

Embark on a lavish journey of indulgence, featuring caviar, salmon roe and sea urchin. In this luxurious course, begin with meat sushi with caviar, followed by meat with salmon roe and an array of exquisite kuroge wagyu cuts. Next up, a sirloin is topped with sea urchin before the finale: a lavish rice bowl with meat, uni, salmon roe and caviar.

All of that for only around ¥9,500*. How’s that for a birthday to remember?

Tell us it’s your birthday: The signature meat “cake” — served with glitzy sparklers and fanfare — is complimentary for guests who will be dining on their birthday!

*Please note that prices may vary by restaurant.

Find out more: What is Uni (Sea Urchin): Taste, Texture & How to Eat It

Budget: $$

Omotesando is home to many great restaurants, but none offer a cooler experience than Sushi & Wine Omotesandoria. This chic sushi and wine bar serves expertly crafted nigiri, creative maki rolls and a curated selection of local and international wines, ensuring that the drinks selection is absolutely no afterthought.

Omotesandoria showcases fusion cooking, like scallop sushi topped with olive oil, black pepper, shrimp and salmon roe, and the signature "tuna trio" of tuna, broiled tuna and marinated lean tuna. 

This restaurant will also open your mind to the true diversity of Japanese sushi, crafting inventive sushi rolls like mascarpone with sake lees and monkfish liver with green chili miso. Equally as diverse is the wine list, pouring light reds from Spain, bold whites from Moldova and natural wines that pair beautifully with sushi.

For a little taste of everything Omotesandoria could bring to your birthday dinner in Tokyo, try the byFood-exclusive course menu, showing off 19 unique dishes of authentic sushi and innovative specialties, perfectly paired with sommelier-selected wine and sake.

Budget: $

STEREO, located on the 38th floor of Shibuya Tower, is an effortlessly cool venue offering creative drinks and European cuisine, all with stunning views of Shibuya Crossing. A large mirror on the back wall reflects the vast Tokyo skyline and the sleek interior of the bar.

Renowned for its inventive cocktails and mocktails that feature Japanese whiskey and locally sourced non-alcoholic beverages — like cherry blossom martinis and the fruity Jasmine and Apple mocktail — this is easily one of the best bars for raising a glass of something creative to your birthday.

The menu, crafted by Michelin-trained chef Nakanishi Ryu, complements the drinks with a European flair, incorporating fresh, locally sourced vegetables and meats. Chef Nakanishi’s extensive experience includes stints in Lyon, France and Ginza, so you know your birthday dinner is in safe hands.

Music plays a key role in the ambiance, with a custom sound system and live DJ events on weekends. Additionally, there’s a menu for every type of birthday in Tokyo: a Bar Drop-In Course for stopping by for a drink and a dish, as well as one for two drinks and three dishes, and all the way to a drink and six dishes.

Budget: $

Maguroya, a renowned monjayaki specialist in Tokyo, may have the charm of a neighborhood eatery, but it’s a celebrity hotspot with a history of hosting industry elites. The window is lined with autographs from stars like Shohei Ohtani and other pro athletes.

Located in Tsukishima’s Monjayaki Street, the restaurant serves a beloved Tokyo street food similar to Osaka’s okonomiyaki, but gooier and eaten straight from the griddle. Inside, the buzzing atmosphere features low tables with hot plates for cooking, filling the air with the sizzling sounds and rich aromas of monjayaki.

Maguroya stands out with its signature bluefin tuna kamatoro, a prized, marbled cut from the collar, akin to wagyu. The tuna is served in its monjayaki, alongside dishes like the decadent Hiroshima oyster monjayaki. 

Focused on perfecting its craft, Maguroya remains a top destination for monjayaki and top-tier tuna — and now also the venue of your big Tokyo birthday celebrations. Making monjayaki together will create fun, interactive birthday memories with you and your friends.

Think you’ll be in Asakusa instead? Head to the Maguroya Asakusa branch!

Find out more: What Is Monjayaki?

If you’re looking for more things to do in Tokyo on your birthday, look no further! Here are three fancy experiences worth splurging on for your special day.

Experience a private cruise aboard an elegant yakatabune (traditional Japanese ‘pleasure boat’) in Tokyo, offering stunning views of Tokyo Bay, Odaiba and Rainbow Bridge. While you enjoy the sights, you’ll be served a luxurious kaiseki meal prepared by skilled chefs right before your eyes while relishing this nostalgic Japanese pastime.

Yakatabune boats date back to the Edo Period (17th to 19th century) when they were originally used for transportation and trade. Over time, they transformed into floating teahouses and dining venues, becoming popular among Tokyo’s elite for leisure and social gatherings.

With counter seating for two to 10 guests, there’s enough room for all the guests who want to celebrate with you on your big day!

Find out more: Scenic Tokyo Cruises: Dinner, Night Cruises and More

Experience rural Japan with an overnight stay in Fujinomiya, where you can enjoy stunning views of Mt. Fuji while relaxing in an eco-friendly, fully equipped glamping site. Your hosts will pick you up from the station and drive you to the glamping area.

This eco-tour includes a good mix of activities and relaxation. You'll pick fresh vegetables with local guides and visit a sake brewery for a tour and tasting of high-quality Japanese rice wine (made with the area’s signature fresh water). Enjoy a yakisoba lunch before grilling quality meats and vegetables for yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) in the evening.

After dinner, relax with eco-friendly amenities, hammocks or a fresh espresso, soaking up the Mt. Fuji sights by the campfire. The next morning, explore the forest, visit Shira-Ito Waterfall and enjoy breakfast before returning to the station.

Best birthday in Japan? We thought so.

Experience the charm of Kichijoji and its hidden bars on a real-life Midnight Diners: Tokyo Stories tour. Kichijoji is renowned for its eclectic bars and gastropubs, many tucked away in Harmonica Yokocho (Harmonica Alley), a post-WWII flea market-turned bar haven. 

This lively area features 1950s-themed pubs, quirky bartenders and unique dishes like basashi horse meat. Bar hopping here is an adventure, with tiny bars seating just a few guests, creating an intimate, lively atmosphere. 

Your friendly guide — basically a local celebrity in this area — will help you connect with locals, even if you don’t speak Japanese. They know the best spots and owners, ensuring an unforgettable night of fun, laughter and "kanpai!" in one of Tokyo’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

For more of the best birthday dinners in Tokyo, explore our full selection of Tokyo food tours, dining experiences, romantic restaurants and the best places for dinner in Shibuya.