Ueno’s Culinary Treasures: High-End Dining at Moderate Prices

A curated selection of restaurants offering exceptional value in the ¥2,000-¥5,000 range in Ueno and Okachimachi.

Maguro Bitoまぐろ人

Experience premium-grade tuna sourced from Yamako, the same supplier that serves Ginza’s most prestigious sushi restaurants charging ¥40,000-¥50,000 per dinner. Here, you can savor the same quality otoro, chutoro, and akami for just a few hundred yen per piece. This standing sushi bar offers an exceptional value proposition with consistently high-quality ingredients across their menu.

Inshoutei韻松亭

Nestled within Ueno Park, this refined establishment offers a serene dining experience with impeccable kaiseki cuisine. Their signature dish is the chicken sukiyaki. Reservations are accepted for all days, with weekday minimum orders starting from the Hanakago Zen (¥2,950) and weekend/holiday orders from the Hanakago Honzen (¥4,180).

Book your table through [their English reservation portal]

Brasserie Lecrinブラッスリーレカン

Located in the former VIP room of JR Ueno Station, this casual offshoot of the renowned Ginza French restaurant ‘Lecrin’ offers sophisticated dining in a historic setting. Their most popular offering is the lunch-exclusive One Plate Set (¥3,200) which includes a main dish, cup soup, dessert, and sparkling wine, served within a 90-minute timeframe.

Book your table through [their English reservation portal]

Tonpachiteiとん八亭

A venerable tonkatsu restaurant established in 1947, earning the Michelin Bib Gourmand designation for 10 consecutive years (2016-2025). Their signature Rosu Tonkatsu Set (¥2,400) features incredibly tender pork cutlet that can be cut with chopsticks alone. Rice and cabbage are refillable once.

Ueno Yabu Soba上野藪そば

Established in 1892, this 130-year-old soba restaurant maintains its tradition of hand-made noodles while adapting to contemporary tastes. Their popular Ten-seiro (¥2,248) combines tempura with chilled soba. During winter, their seasonal oyster hot pot draws crowds. Popular among international visitors.

Egg Baby Cafeエッグベイビーカフェ

A bright, spacious cafe beloved by women and international visitors, who comprise 80% and 50% of their clientele respectively. Their signature egg sandwich, made with three eggs and served with french fries (¥1,000), and their distinctive square pudding (¥500) are must-tries. The pudding often sells out within an hour of opening.

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