Unagi Restaurants(27)
COURSE MENUNyorosuke Roppongi
At Nyorosuke, you can experience authentic Kansai-style charcoal grilled eel dishes such as grilled eel skewers, unaju and unagi-don. Unlike most Tokyo-style eel restaurants, the eel here is not steamed—meaning it’s bursting full of flavor!
COURSE MENUMinokichi Shijo Kawaramachi
Kaiseki in its birthplace, a meal at one of the oldest establishments to serve it — the 300-year-old Minokichi brand returns to Kyoto, now serving ultra-seasonal kaiseki in Kawaramachi to showcase the city's culinary splendor.
COURSE MENUSumiyaki Unafuji Daimaru Kyoto Bettei
At Unafuji, only the best quality blue eels are used, chosen for their high fat content and creamy livers. These are then cooked over a blue-hot charcoal flame to seal in their natural flavor, then coated generously with Unafuji’s secret sauce.
COURSE MENUMUNI ALAIN DUCASSE
Set in scenic Arashiyama in Kyoto, Michelin-starred MUNI ALAIN DUCASSE brings to life acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse’s flamboyant French gastronomy through the hands of Chef Alessandro Guardiani.
COURSE MENUUnagi Kappo Ooedo
Unagi Kappo Oedo repeatedly immerses whole pieces of eel within jars of their secret sauce, letting its flavor suffuse the meat entirely. It is then paired with sticky Yumegokochi rice for maximum texture.
COURSE MENUMARUICHI FUJI AKASAKA (formerly Nyorosuke Akasaka)
Rather than steam the eel first in Kanto style, this famed Akasaka unagi specialist upholds Kansai tradition by going straight into grilling the eel for a crispier, crunchier texture.
COURSE MENUAzabujuban Hanabusa
This Tokyo restaurant sources its eels from unagi farmers in Isshiki Town, who have raised them in an all-natural environment for over 100 years. The unagi are then coated in a secret sauce, before being grilled Kansai-style over a charcoal flame.
COURSE MENUToshima Manryo Ichigetsuan
Enjoy traditionally-prepared unagi dishes in this Odawara restaurant, housed in a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. Toshima Manryo Ichigetsuan uses exclusively blue-backed “ao-unagi” eels, said to account for only 10 percent of mature eels.
COURSE MENUUmaimon Yakiissho
This Gunma unagi restaurant not only sources its eels from Aichi Prefecture, but also grills them in Kansai-style, resulting in an extra-crispy texture not easily found around eastern Japan.
COURSE MENUMinokichi Takeshigero Hotel Granvia Kyoto
The Hotel Granvia Kyoto plays host to one of Kyoto’s most historic kyo-kaiseki restaurants, with over 300 years of history serving freshwater fish and other traditional dishes.
COURSE MENUShinjuku Sushi Ebisu
From “black” sushi rice to ikura cocktails, Sushi Ebisu’s Shinjuku branch arrives with an eager-to-explore spirit and an easygoing disposition to its drink-focused sushi menu that’s as chic as it is delicious.
COURSE MENUUnagi Washoku Shirakawa Meieki
Unagi Washoku Shirakawa Meieki is a welcoming unagi restaurant in Nagoya offering Aichi prefecture’s specialty dish, hitsumabashi, just steps from Nagoya Station.
SEAT RESERVATIONUnagi Kaiseki Nihonbashi Isesada
For three generations, this postwar unagi specialty store in Nihonbashi adheres to the Kanto-style kabayaki method — domestic eels are split along the back to avoid evoking the symbolism of seppuku, then steamed for plumpness.
COURSE MENUHitsumabushi Nagoya Bincho Marronnier Gate Ginza 1
The increasingly popular Aichi unagi specialty of hitsumabushi (freshwater eel over rice prepared three ways) finds itself in the heart of Tokyo’s Ginza district, prepared flawlessly in Kansai style.
COURSE MENUUnagi Hamamatsu Gozaro
An acclaimed seafood and izakaya spot in Hamamatsu, Goza Ro offers fantastic Enshu dishes with a luxurious setting near Hamamatsu Station. Fresh local delights await.
SEAT RESERVATIONUnagino Toyokawa
If the saying holds true: three years to master the art of skewering the unagi, eight for the splitting and a lifetime for the grilling — then the chef of this restaurant is a true devotee.
SEAT RESERVATIONUnazen (Fukuoka)
A brilliant place to try unagi eel, right in the middle of sunny Fukuoka.
SEAT RESERVATIONIshibashi (Bunkyo)
Enjoy a taste of traditional Japanese food culture at a Tokyo eel restaurant with over 100 years of history.
SEAT RESERVATIONTakotsubo
Capture the authentic and traditional character of Hiroshima with every bite.
SEAT RESERVATIONUnagi Tomoei
Get the freshest eel you’ve ever had at one of the country’s most popular unagi shops.
SEAT RESERVATIONUnafuji
The thick-cut unagi at this restaurant will win any eel fan’s heart.
SEAT RESERVATIONEel Shop Sakebo-Esho Echigoya
This eel deal is a steal: top unagi dining in under an hour away from Tokyo
SEAT RESERVATIONUnagiya
Dine at the restaurant that the late founder of Honda personally picked as his favorite unagi eatery.
SEAT RESERVATIONUnagi Uomasa
Boost your vitality with some of the best unagi eel in all of Tokyo, at a competitive price.
SEAT RESERVATIONMejiro Zorome
This Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient is only one of 40-plus restaurants across Japan allowed to serve Kyosui unagi, an extremely rare breed from Shizuoka Prefecture.
SEAT RESERVATIONKyogoku Kaneyo
The Taisho-era store continues to delight with its kinshidon — grilled eel rice bowl with a large blanket of tamago (omelet) — that is loved by both Michelin critics and locals alike.
SEAT RESERVATIONTsuki Akari
Discover Tsuki Akari in Hiroshima, offering exquisite anago specialties near the Atomic Bomb Dome, in an authentic izakaya setting.
Recent Reviews from GuestsWelcome to the World of Unagi Delicacies
If you find yourself captivated by the unique charm of Japanese cuisine, then discovering the pleasures of unagi, or Japanese eel, should be high on your list. Unagi restaurants offer a delectable array of dishes centered around this savory delight. Grilled to perfection, unagi is typically served over a bed of rice, brushed with a sweet soy sauce-based glaze. This traditional dish is savored for its tender, delicate flesh and rich flavor, making it a staple in many Japanese culinary experiences.
Discover the Best Unagi Restaurants
In our curated list of unagi restaurants, each establishment brings its own variation of serving this beloved dish. Whether you're searching for a classic unadon, a bowl of rice topped with grilled eel fillets, or more elaborate set meals that include side dishes like miso soup and pickled vegetables, there is an unagi restaurant to suit your taste. Authentic unagi establishments often pride themselves on using charcoal grills to infuse the eel with a subtle smokiness that pairs wonderfully with the sweet-savory tare sauce. Enjoy the gentle care taken to prepare the eel, often live-caught, to ensure the highest quality and freshness.
Traditional Experiences with a Modern Touch
Many unagi restaurants seamlessly blend traditional approaches with contemporary touches, offering both cozy, traditional settings, complete with shoji screens and tatami mats, as well as modern, minimalist environments. You may even find some restaurants that add innovative twists to the classic eel dishes, serving them with ingredients like avocado or truffle, offering a fresh take without departing too much from traditional flavors. From the humble small eateries specializing in just a few cherished dishes to upscale establishments with varied menus, exploring the world of unagi can lead you to delightful new culinary adventures.
Enhance your dining experience by accompanying your meal with a selection of sake or green tea, which complements the flavors of unagi beautifully. Whether you're dining alone, with family, or with friends, these restaurants offer a wonderful setting to celebrate the art of Japanese cuisine. Dive into this delicious world full of rich, umami flavors and enjoy the incredible texture and taste of expertly prepared unagi.