The most common question ITALIAKARA staff get, both professionally and personally, is:
"Do you have any recommendations for Italian restaurants in Tokyo?"
This time, TEAM ITALIAKARA introduces five of our favorite Italian restaurants that we have actually visited multiple times. We're even specially revealing some restaurants we'd usually want to keep secret!
＼Recommended by Bubble Lover AYA／
Elio Locanda Italiana
"I love how the vibrant atmosphere makes you feel like you've time-traveled to Southern Italy, even though you're in Tokyo. Rather than glamorous gastronomy, the charm lies in the warm, mama-style cooking passed down through family recipes and the cheerful, authentic hospitality. It's a renowned establishment you'd want to visit on a day when you want to experience local dining culture. It's also frequented by Italian expats and embassy officials, proving its authenticity to those who truly know authentic taste!"
★Definitely try!
"The lasagna is a signature dish at Elio. It's rich but not too heavy, and the appeal is that you can savor 'the taste of an Italian mother's cooking.' I always order it every time I go to Elio."
★Highlight
"Once, when I was engrossed in conversation, Elio, the Italian owner, spoke to me like family, saying, 'It's getting cold! Eat it quickly :)'. I'm delighted by the warm human connections!"
＼Recommended by CHII, 30 years of wine experience／
DepTH brianza
"This is the only restaurant where Yoshiki Okuno, the owner-chef who leads the Brianza group, personally works in the kitchen. Chef Okuno, who trained in Italy, creates original dishes that firmly uphold traditional Italian cuisine while incorporating modern arrangements throughout.
It's truly a world of profound 'DepTH' gourmet, living up to its name. With only 12 seats, it's an exclusive space, a perfect choice for special anniversaries or dinners with loved ones who appreciate good food. You'll be completely captivated, heart and stomach, by the surprising dishes that keep coming!"
★Definitely try!
"Chef Okuno's dishes are constantly evolving. His knack for skillfully incorporating the essence of each country he visits into his Italian cuisine is remarkable, offering fresh surprises with every visit. Furthermore, the fact that they use meat from the famous butcher 'Sakaeya' is a crucial point! The main dish, a harmony of perfectly treated meat and the chef's impeccable cooking, is a blissful taste."
★Highlight
"The close proximity to the chefs, precisely because it's such an intimate space with only 12 seats, is the best! The deliciousness is amplified many times over when you taste the food while hearing directly about its background and the chef's dedication. Despite the exquisite food, it's not at all stuffy; it's a comfortable restaurant, almost as if you've been invited to a special seat in the chef's residence."
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＼Recommended by Trendsetter KAZU／
Trattoria della Lanterna Magica
"As you stroll through the residential area of Meguro, a softly warm, magical light suddenly appears. From the moment you open the door, you're enveloped in the lively warmth of an authentic Italian trattoria that makes you forget you're in Tokyo. The dedication to regional cuisine that adheres to 'no alterations' and the friendly, cheerful staff's hospitality are why I want to visit again and again. It has a high fan rate among Italian industry professionals! It's a renowned restaurant that Meguro is proud of, offering reliability and consistency ♡"
★Definitely try!
"The daily blackboard menu, full of seasonal flavors, offers a variety of traditional dishes that make you feel as if you've instantly warped to various parts of Italy from the first bite. You can't go wrong with anything you order! I can't narrow it down to just one, so please find your own favorite dish!"
★Highlight
"All the menus are in Italian, and choosing dishes while chatting with the staff feels just like being in Italy! The wine list, with about 150 varieties from all Italian regions, is also impressive, and before you know it, you're drinking and talking until closing time. Don't forget the diverse digestive (after-dinner drink) cart! Including the hidden gem feel of being tucked away in a residential area, it's a favorite restaurant that makes me excited to open the door every time ♡"
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＼Recommended by Italiana Allie／
Il ristopastificio da H
"This is a small, hidden gem of a restaurant quietly tucked away in the residential area of Sendagi. It seats only about 6 people. The charm is the special space where you can enjoy your meal while watching the chef at work from the counter.
What's surprising is that the chef handles everything from the cooking and customer service to creating the menu all by himself. The omakase course, which changes monthly, allows you to enjoy dishes that cherish Italy's seasonal flavors and ingredients.
You can feel the meticulous work and love for ingredients in each dish, making you feel as if you've visited a small trattoria in Italy. It's my favorite restaurant where you can experience the true Italian seasons while in Tokyo ♡"
★Definitely try!
"You absolutely must try the handmade pasta!
I still can't forget the 'Tagliolini with Cima di Rapa' I had before. The moment I took a bite, it brought back nostalgic memories of dinner tables with my family when I was a child.
For me, as an Italian, it's truly special to encounter dishes in Japan that remind me of home. Because it's simple, the flavors of the ingredients shine through, creating a memorable deliciousness."
★Highlight
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