XEX Greenhills Roppongi is a great spot for dinner and drinks ( and even more reasonably priced if you head out for lunch – but the views and the ambience aren’t quite the same. ) This restaurant has a really special romantic feel and I love how you can move to the bar /lounge area afterwards for cocktails, cheese or dessert.
They have the entire menu on their website so take a look to see if it matches your tummy’s needs and budget.
They have an italian restaurant, sushi & tempura restaurant and beautiful old-school lounge/bar.
If you eat in the Japanese restaurant on a Wednesday, you’ll be able to see a Koto performance (see website for times.)
I also love eating tempura here.
The lounge bar asks for a cover charge when a band is performing so be sure to ask first.
The staff at XEX speak beautiful English so you’ll even be able to make reservations for yourself etc.
Please adhere to the Xex Atago Dress Code. No shorts or sleeveless shirts for men , for example (see website for more info.)
* This restaurant isn’t for young children. Only Junior High School age and older kiddies on the weekdays and elementary ages and older on holidays and weekends. (Another reason why I love it for date nights!)
XEX ATAGO GREENHILLS
港区愛宕2-5-1 MORIタワー
MORI TOWER, 2-5-1 ATAGO, MINATO
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11:30-3:30PM
OPEN FOR DINNER: 5:30PM – 10:30PM (BAR OPEN UNTIL 4AM)
XEX GREEN HILLS ATAGO
This is one of the best kept secrets in Tokyo. The Ana Intercontinental Bar in Roppongi champagne bar has the most amazing free flow champagne and nibbles package. I’ve been 3 times now with girlfriends and it is top shelf champagne with beautiful nibbles. The mid-range course is approximately 7000 yen per person and that is all you can drink champagne for two hours (which is amazing!!!!)
They also have lunch courses too (see the website below.)
ANA INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL TOKYO , THE CHAMPAGNE BAR
港区赤阪1-12-33
1-12-33 AKASAKA MINATO-KU
THE CHAMPAGNE BAR
Hona in Roppongi (there is a big Spiderman character in the window so we know it as “The Spiderman Restaurant”) is a great option for teppanyaki in the evening. The staff are all energetic, fun and are happy to have little people around. It can be a bit noisy and smokey in the evenings so I always go as soon as they open. They do take reservations.
I love their yakisoba and okonomiyaki (both really easy dishes to ask to be custom made)
Read here for how to order a vegetarian version of okonomiyaki
HONA
LUMIERE BUILDING MOTOAZABU 102, 3-2-21
元麻布3-2-21 ルミエール元麻布102
OPEN MONDAYS-SATURDAYS 6pm-2am, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS 5:30pm-12am
FACEBOOK PAGE
An alternative dinner option is in Gonpachi (otherwise knows as “The Kill Bill Restaurant”). Is it totally touristy? Yes! It’s it great fun and very cool? YES! If you get to choose your day of the week, go on a Sunday night on a Wednesday night between 8-8:30pm. They almost always have a Japanese drumming performance right in the restaurant. Ask about it when you make a reservation.
It’s a lively, picturesque setting for a meal. Don’t rush in – the entrance is filled with signed photos of famous visitors.
1-13-11 NISHI-AZABU, MINATO
港区西麻布1-13-11
OPEN: 11:30AM-3:30AM
WEBSITE
I still need to get my pictures up but I don’t have time right now but I must include these two Roppongi eateries/drinkeries. They are both so vibey but not everyone knows about them …
Warayakiya is one of my favourite place to take guests. Its always buzzing and the interior is cool. If possible? Ask to be seated at the counter as the fish is cooked using this special technique – straw-burning flame grill. The flames are huge and very impressive. Their specialty is the seared bonito.
I don’t really recommend this place if you don’t like seafood as the menu is limited because they niche-down hard on their famous dishes.
WARAYAKIYA ROPPONGI
港区 六本木6-8-8 六本木ゴーディービル1F
GROUND FLOOR, ROPPONGI GOODI BUILDING, 6-8-8 ROPPONGI, MINATO-KU
OPEN 5PM-5AM (CLOSES AT 11PM ON SUNDAYS)
WEBSITE
and
Joumon Roppongi is a Kushiyaki (Grilled Meat and Skewers) spot that literally spills out onto the street. They are very English friendly.
Watch their cheap white wine – that stuff got me good one night and I felt it all the next day….
It’s a great place to eat if you’re watching your cash as you can literally order one skewer at a time.
I recommend trying their fried renkon. Amazing.
JOUMON ROPPONGI
港区六本木5-9-7
5-9-7 ROPPONGI, MINATO-KU
OPEN 6PM-5AM
WEBSITE
An izakaya (Japanese style pub) that is VERY casual and reasonably priced is Uoshin – which is located close to Tokyo Midtown Department Store.
You will knock elbows with the locals and can also try lots of different types of food.
Ask about their nomihodai (all you can drink) and food course which costs 5000 yen per person for a few hours. The course is pre-determined by the chef so if you’d rather have a say – maybe go for just normal a la carte instead.
I recommend ordering the assorted tempura, a sashimi platter, a lemon sour ( sake mixed with lemon soft drink) and crab croquettes. Soooo yummy.
The place gets REALLY hot so have a thin layer on underneath. Also wear easy on and off shoes incase your seats are on the tatami (although you can specify when you book.)
The restaurant is surrounded by red, blue and white lanterns. You can’t miss it.
Warning: the restaurant is not smoke free. There is a smoking and non-smoking section but…. smoke doesn’t exactly stay where it is told to, right?
UOSHIN NOGIZAKA
港区赤坂9-6-32
9 -6-32 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU
WEEKDAY LUNCH 11:30AM – 2PM
WEEKDAY DINNER 5PM – MIDNIGHT
WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 4PM – 11PM
UOSHIN NOGIZAKA
This is also the area of the newly opened Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour Tokyo
(often is sold out months in advance. Klook is an easy way to purchase tickets.)
Public 6 is another bar in this area that is pretty fun and is also a good place to chat to customers ( some places in Tokyo feel a bit more like they aren’t made for mingling.)
PUBLIC 6 ROPPONGI
港区六本木6-8-22 イケガミビル１F
GROUND FLOOR, IKEGAMI BUILDING, 6-8-22 ROPPONGI, MINATO-KU
PUBLIC 6 WEBSITE
And another quick random idea for early in the evening.. . how about a “window-shop” at the very extravagant Doggie Grooming Salon “Joker” inside the Roppongi Hills Complex. These puppies customers are treated to the most amazing haircuts and their bath would equal any healthy (human!) health retreat standards. There is a dog & cat pet shop next door too. Be sure to check out the pet prices and the extensive range of pet strollers. You will be gobsmacked.
JOKER DOG GROOMING SALON
ROPPONGI HILLS COMPLEX,
HILLSIDE SECTION, B1 FLOOR, 6-11-1 ROPPONGI
六本木6-11-1 六本木ヒルズB1
OPEN 11am-9pm
WEBSITE
Or how about some culture, my darling? Lots of these are open quite late.
Why not check out Tokyo Timeout for the latest exhibits and installations at one of Roppongi’s galleries and museums? I love the Mori Art Museum, The National Art Center and the 21_21 Design Sight.
THE MORI ART MUSEUM
Roppongi Hills, 6-10-1 Roppongi
六本木6-10-1六本木ヒルズ
OPEN EVERYDAY 10am-10pm EXCEPT TUESDAY FROM 10am-5pm
WEBSITE
THE NATIONAL ART CENTER, TOKYO
7-22-2 Roppongi
六本木7-22-2
MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & WEEKENDS 10am-6pm, FRIDAYS 10am-8pm, CLOSED TUESDAYS
WEBSITE
21_21 DESIGN SIGHT
The Midtown Garden, 9-7-6 Akasaka
赤坂9-7-6 ミッドタウン・ガーデン内
OPEN 10am-7pm (CLOSED TUESDAYS)
WEBSITE
Why not go to the famous chain Ichiran Ramen?
You order everything at a vending machine. Toppings and extras are filled out on paper in your own little ramen cubicle ( a bit like study nooks in a library!) Its designed to be enjoyed on your own but there is no reason why you can’t have a giggle with your partner, friends or family.
The ramen will be served from a curtain in front of you. Its a truly special and delicious experience.
And you will find that this place will be busy at all hours of the evening. Japanese people eat ramen after drinking in the same way that Australians grab a souvlaki on the way home from the pub ( or the way Scottish people buy chips and brown sauce.)
This is a non-smoking restaurant. Cash only,.
ICHIRAN RAMEN, ROPPONGI NOGIZAKA BRANCH
港区六本木4-11-11 六本木ＧＭビル2F
2F ROPPONGI GM BUILDING, 4-11-11 ROPPONGI, MINATO
OPEN 11AM-6AM
OPEN EVERYDAY OF THE YEAR
ICHIRAN ROPPONGI ON THE TABELOG WEBSITE
Oh my god. I almost don’t want to talk about this gem.
All my friends know that I am unhealthily obsessed!
Bau Haus is a cover band venue – all English songs – all Japanese band.
This place is just heaven.
And it all happens 6 days a week.
Do NOT leave until they have done their version of Bohemian Rhapsody. It’s pure gold (torch props and all.)
Cover charge is 3000 yen per person.
If you are craving a messy and hilarious night out – you will LOVE this spot as much as I do. ( It is not a karaoke venue) I’m on the stage because it was my birthday.
六本木5-16-5インペリアルビルB1
B1 FLOOR, IMPERIAL BUILDING, 5-16-5 ROPPONGI
OPEN 7PM-1AM
CLOSED SUNDAYS
WEBSITE
I am absolutely crazy for the Beatles bar Abbey Road in Roppongi.
The entire bar is Beatles themed – down to the cocktail menu. The cover band (one band plays all night see their website for band details.) They certainly don’t look like the Beatles but the sound very close and its just such good fun.
The first show starts at 7:30 and you can stay until the very end of the fourth and final set at around 11pm. The bar opens at 6pm if you’d like to have a drink before the music begins. It is possible to request songs with the wait staff throughout the evening. The band are true hard-core fans so they even know those random hits from the very, very first recordings.
The bar charge 2,500 yen per person with a rule that you must order at least one food item and one drink. The food isn’t great and portions are small so I recommend eating something beforehand and snacking during the show – if you can.
The entire bar is smoke-free.
ABBEY ROAD TOKYO
六本木4-11-5 B1
BASEMENT FLOOR 1, 4-11-5 ROPPONGI
OPEN FROM 6PM
WEBSITE
There is a new club in Roppongi called 1OAK – but I haven’t been before (let me know if you check it out, okay?)
But I’m less of a hardcore clubber these days and I love being silly at Motown in Roppongi. It is full of complete randoms and you can request songs.
It’s crowded on weekends so watch your drinks and bags etc but its just good fun.
There is often a Japanese guy there who dresses like and tries to dance like Michael Jackson. He’s my fave.
Its kind of like a Japanese version of ‘Cheers’ – if everyone in Cheers was drunk and in a sweaty business suit.
MOTOWN HOUSE , ROPPONGI
4F,3-11-5 ROPPONGI MINATO-KU
OPEN 6PM-4:50AM
MOTOWN HOUSE ROPPONGI
If you are after other date night ideas, see my Tokyo style date nights post or if you’d rather stick to one area at a time, here are my recommendations for Ginza & Shibuya too.
