Where to Eat in Shimokitazawa: 10 Best Restaurants to Try

The bohemian district Shimokitazawa was formerly farmland before it became a residential area known for shops selling secondhand American items after World War II. Now, Shimokitazawa is an area that's populated by artists and musicians and has maintained its fame as an eclectic district full of retro vintage shops. Creative souls will feel at home here, enjoying the thrift shopping and entertainment, from small theaters to live music and comedy shows. 

When you are done sifting through old records, browsing endless shelves of books, or trying on second-hand clothing, it's time to find out where to eat in Shimokitazawa, so you can get some grub alongside the hipster natives of this artsy Tokyo district.

Explore Tokyo's vibrant ramen scene on a fun, guided bicycle tour led by Brian, a local ramen expert. Pedal through the trendy Shimokitazawa and bustling Shibuya neighborhoods, sampling some of the city's best ramen.

From salty chicken to rich tonkotsu, Brian will tailor the experience to your preferences or surprise you with his favorites. Whether you're vegan, gluten-free, or have other dietary needs, accommodations can be made.

Learn about the history and culture of ramen from a well-known critic and content creator while enjoying delicious bowls on two wheels. A tasty, unforgettable adventure awaits!

Okay, ready to visit some delicious spots to grab a bite in Tokyo's trendy Shimokitazawa area? Let's go!

At Dialogue, a charming spot in Shimokitazawa, Chef Yoshii Yusuke and sommelier Shimokawa Ryohei share a passion for food and wine, earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand award in 2023.

Chef Yoshii traveled to Toulouse and Castelnaudary to study cassoulet, a signature dish at Dialogue, showcasing his dedication to tradition. Whether enjoying a curated course or a la carte options, Chef Yoshii’s seasonal creations — influenced by his Michelin-starred background and paired with Shimokawa’s expert wine selections — are sure to keep guests coming back.

Find out more: Michelin Bib Gourmand Tokyo

Located just a 5-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station, Kyu-Yamtei Shimokita-Sou is a beloved curry shop with a loyal following. Formerly a yam house, it now offers a menu that changes daily, featuring curries like yuzu pepper, yam, dhal and spicy mutton keema.

Guests can also enjoy side dishes like fried vegetables, chicken and mutton, along with a variety of rice options, including jasmine, turmeric and brown rice. With its unbeatable price, quantity and quality, this restaurant is a must-visit in one of Tokyo's coolest neighborhoods. No wonder the restaurant is known for long lines during lunchtime.

For those who love more traditional Japanese fare, sink your teeth into some okonomiyaki, the specialty at Daikonman (a restaurant that, surprisingly, does not actually serve daikon dishes).

Choose either the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (which consists of layers of thin pancake, cabbage, noodles, egg, and meat) or the slab of Osaka-style okonomiyaki (in which batter, eggs, meat, and other ingredients are mixed and cooked all in one). They also serve takoyaki and yakisoba.

It's quite an intimate setting, with only a few tables available, and Daikonman's quirky personality (marked by the Italian decorations left over from the previous tenant) is on full display.

On the other hand, if you want to taste a unique style of soba (Japanese buckwheat noodles), head to Dashin Soan, which serves sudachi soba. Sudachi is a lime-like Japanese citrus fruit that adds a refreshing kick to dishes. These chilled noodles are sure to cool you down on a summer day.

Plus, at Dashin Soan the noodles are entirely homemade, from milling the buckwheat to making the dough and cutting noodles by hand. With a nice view of the garden, you'll be enveloped in the soothing, zen-like atmosphere while you slurp your handmade sudachi soba.

Before opening Dan in fall 2023, Chef Takada Yuki trained under Hiramatsu, Japan's top restaurant group, and spent a decade honing his skills in prestigious French kitchens. At Dan, Takada puts this into practice with a masterful French-Japanese tasting menu that changes monthly. 

The intimate 8-seat counter emphasizes a closer connection to the chef, allowing you a front-row seat for dishes like iwashi confit with potato galette and oven-baked sea bass with hazelnuts and burnt butter sauce. Takada's risotto, a canvas for his French-Japanese fusion, features creations like Kagoshima eel with burdock root puree and a rich eel stock wine sauce.

As you might expect from these dish descriptions alone, Dan also awarded Michelin Selected recognition in 2024.

Ramen for ¥650? You can find it at Torisoba Soruto, with their signature chicken shio ramen. The broth is quite light, almost clear, but deceptively flavorful. It packs a nice umami punch which customers rave about as one of the best bowls of salt ramen in Tokyo. Feeling extra hungry? Order up a plate of gyoza to go along with your ramen.

To taste the flavors of Okinawa in Shimokitazawa, Champ Rouse is your best bet. The chef hails from Okinawa and cooks up Okinawan staple dishes including goya champuru (bitter melon, egg, and tofu stir fry), mozoku tempura (battered and deep-fried Okinawan seaweed), and hirayachi (Okinawan savory pancake).

You can also enjoy classic Okinawan drinks like Orion Beer and awamori (a distilled alcoholic beverage made from indica rice) as you drink in the relaxed, retro vibes of Champ Rouse.

Fans of the finer things in life, like seafood and wine, will feel right at home at Oyster Bar Jackpot. It's a casual, unpretentious bar offering the freshest oysters from various regions of Japan, each with their own distinct flavor.

While the taste and texture of fresh, raw oysters vary from rich and creamy to light and refreshing, you can also pair them with citrusy sauces or enjoy them baked on pizza, tossed in spaghetti, and even fried! You can also try some recommended oyster and wine pairings.

Fans of Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro must come to Shiro-Hige's Cream Puff Factory, which is run by Miyazaki's sister-in-law. They make adorable Totoro-shaped cream puffs in various classic and seasonal flavors. They are nearly too cute to eat and will be sure to brighten up your Instagram feed.

The store also features original sketches drawn by Miyazaki himself. For more about Shiro-Hige's Cream Puff Factory, check out must-try bakeries in Tokyo.

So you have some ideas about where to eat in Shimokitazawa, but where should you grab a drink after the sun goes down? Fortunately, if you end up in Shimokitazawa in the evening, you'll find there are lots of things to do after all the thrift shops and coffee shops close.

Enjoy some drinks and tunes at Little Soul Cafe, home to 15,000 records and different liquors from around the world; or check out Music Bar Rockaholic Shimokitazawa, a bar that plays, what else, rock music!

Meanwhile, fans of craft beer can't miss Beer Bar Ushitora, which has 35 beers on tap and a variety of bar foods like chicken karaage and pickles. Shimokitazawa also has a range of comedy clubs and little theaters where you can catch some shorts and cap off the night with a laugh.

Shimokitazawa has long evolved from farmland to a hippie land—a melting pot of what’s cool, retro, and artsy. Its array of restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops are appealing to all ages, so it's no wonder Shimokitazawa is ranked as one of the top places to live by Japan’s youth. Now that you know where to eat in Shimokitazawa, go discover this eclectic Tokyo district for yourself!

Still hungry for foodie spots? Discover the best curry in Shimokitazawa, or work your way through a list of the best things to do!