Ebisu, located in the south of Shibuya Ward in Tokyo, is known as a calm and mature area with many moody and sophisticated izakaya (Japanese-style pubs).
In this article, as a commuter in Ebisu, I will introduce the five best izakaya in Ebisu, which offer a wide variety of Japanese dishes such as fresh seafood, tempura, and yakitori (grilled chicken).
By all means, drop in at an izakaya in Ebisu that has the best taste and atmosphere, and have a great time with Japanese food and Wagyu beef with sake and wine!
楽蔵うたげ 恵比寿東口店 / Rakuzo Utage Ebisu East Gate
“楽蔵うたげ 恵比寿東口店 / Rakuzo Utage Ebisu East Gate” is a Japanese-style izakaya located a 1-minute walk from the East Exit of Ebisu Station, serving delicious Japanese cuisine that makes the most of seasonal ingredients, yakitori made with domestic chicken, sushi and sashimi made with fresh fish directly from the fishing port.
They have a wide selection of famous brands of sake, wine, and cocktails that go well with Japanese cuisine.
Families, groups, and couples can enjoy the tradition of Japanese cuisine at izakaya.
Local Guide’s Point of View
The popular course meal with all-you-can-drink for 2 hours includes seared seafood, a specialty of their Japanese chef!
The private rooms are a fusion of Japanese-style and Western modernism, and will be a great memory of Ebisu.
- Popular Dishes
Assorted Yakitori | Grilled Chicken of Daisen Chicken
The yakitori platter is made from Daisan Chicken, a brand of chicken raised in the clean air and water at the foot of Daisan Mountain, and is juicy, tender, and exquisite.
There are thighs, skin, bones, and other parts of yakitori, and each piece of chicken is carefully grilled by their chefs one by one.
Assorted Fresh Sashimi
The popular menu “Assorted Fresh Sashimi” at the Ebisu allows you to fully enjoy Japanese seafood in one plate.
The sashimi of tuna, yellowtail, salmon, scallops, and shrimp are all fresh and sweet.
Facilities & Services
Families with children looking for a Japanese izakaya with private rooms in Ebisu will be satisfied at "楽蔵うたげ 恵比寿東口店 / Rakuzo Utage Ebisu East Gate".
English menu is available.
Japanese-style “kotatsu seats” are popular!
惠比壽ビヤホール / Yebisu Beer Hall
Located right in front of the west exit of Ebisu Station, "惠比壽ビヤホール / Yebisu Beer Hall" is a popular beer bar where you can enjoy nine kinds of draft beer from a custom-made beer server at the counter.
Enjoy Japanese beer and a variety of seafood dishes such as carefully selected steak and vegetables, mussels, garlic shrimp, and more with your friends in an open atmosphere.
Local Guide’s Point of View
The most popular “Yebisu beer” is made with 100% malt, Bavarian aroma hops, and a mature aroma from a long maturation process using the "once pouring", the traditional German method of extracting fresh beer.
- Popular Dishes
Black Angus Sirloin Steak
The "Black Angus Sirloin Steak," made with sumptuous black Angus beef, is the perfect main dish to accompany your Yebisu beer.
The flavor of the meat is locked in the hot iron plate.
You can choose between 150g and 300g steaks.
Grilled Chinese Cabbage with Walnut Gorgonzola Sauce
The "Grilled Chinese Cabbage with Walnut Gorgonzola Sauce," a dish that goes well with Japanese beer, looks gorgeous and adds color to the table.
It is a dish of seasonal vegetables arranged in a beer bar style.
Facilities & Services
If you are planning a party with many people in Ebisu, “惠比壽ビヤホール / Yebisu Beer Hall” is the place to go!
The beer bar has a great atmosphere with country and western music during the day and jazz at night.
Private rooms are available for 8 to 50 people.
恵比寿天ぷら串 山本家 / Ebisu Tempura Kushi Yamamotoya
“恵比寿天ぷら串 山本家 / Ebisu Tempura Kushi Yamamotoya”, a restaurant specializing in tempura skewers, is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy Ebisu's popular Japanese dishes, tempura and tendon, with sake.
This Japanese izakaya serves freshly fried hot tempura on a skewer, so it's easy to eat.
There are more than 15 types of tempura skewers made with seasonal ingredients, and tempura rice bowls are popular for lunch.
Local Guide’s Point of View
As an izakaya specializing in tempura and tendon, they have a wide selection of seasonal sake, sparkling wine, champagne, and carefully selected brand-name bottles of wine to go well with the dishes.
- Popular Dishes
3 Kinds of Specialty Tempura and Yam + 8 dishes with 2 hours All-You-Can-Drink
This is a great value course meal that includes 3 kinds of their famous tempura and 8 kinds of skewers including vegetables and meat.
With a 2-hour all-you-can-drink including Japanese liquor and sparkling wine, it will be a highly satisfying dining experience in Ebisu.
Yamamotoya Specialty "Tempura Skewers”
The "Tempura Skewers," utilizing fresh seasonal ingredients directly from farmers in Tokushima Prefecture in Shikoku, rich in nature, come in a variety of flavors, including chicken, pork, and vegetables, and you will discover new flavors.
Facilities & Services
The restaurant has a total of 35 seats, providing a quiet and relaxed dining space.
In addition to the counter, tables and kotatsu seats are available to accommodate a wide range of customers, from individuals to groups.
サカナバル 恵比寿 / Sakana Bar Ebisu
If you want to taste fresh seafood dishes and drinks from around the world at a casual izakaya in Ebisu head straight to "サカナバル 恵比寿 / Sakana Bar Ebisu"!
The menu offers a wide variety of healthy and delicious fish dishes using fresh fish shipped directly from the harbor every day, and you can experience the best dining experience with white wine, sake, and western liquor that match seafood.
Local Guide’s Point of View
Fresh fish shipped directly from the port every day is served in a variety of cooking techniques, including Italian, French, and Spanish, as well as Japanese cuisine.
Those who prefer seafood to meat will surely be satisfied.
- Popular Dishes
Assorted Fresh Fish Carpaccio of the Day
The most popular dish at the izakaya is the carpaccio platter, which offers a collection of fresh seafood.
Four types of fresh fish, including bonito and sea bream, are used and served with original sauces.
Aqua Pazza of Sea Bream
Fresh red sea bream clams, cherry tomatoes, white wine, etc. are stir-fried with olive oil and garlic, making this a representative seafood dish.
Enjoy the dish with unique white wine and homemade sangria.
Facilities & Services
This is the perfect izakaya for those looking for a restaurant in Ebisu where you can enjoy plenty of seafood dishes.
The popular couch seats and table seats can accommodate more than 10 people.
More than 10 kinds of wine by the glass change daily.
播鳥 恵比寿別館 / Bancho Ebisu Annex
If you are looking for a variety of creative Japanese izakaya in Ebisu, how about “播鳥 恵比寿別館 / Bancho Ebisu Annex”?
You can taste Miyazaki Prefecture's branded chicken, Jitokko.
The Jitokko chicken from Miyazaki is tender, juicy, and delicious, and many repeat customers keep coming back for more after trying it.
Taste the best yakitori that Japan is proud of!
Local Guide’s Point of View
The relaxing and calm restaurant has both table and counter seating.
The course, which allows you to fully enjoy grilled domestic chicken, includes 2 hours of all-you-can-drink including sake, so it is great value.
- Popular Dishes
Bancho's Specialty: Chicken Mabushi
“Chicken Mabushi" is a charcoal-grilled dish in which fresh Jidokko chicken is boldly roasted over an open fire to preserve maximum texture and flavor.
Please enjoy the appetizing aroma of Jidori-chicken with rice.
Tsukimi Tsukune ｜Grilled Slowly Over Charcoal
“Tsukimi Tsukune” is a popular dish of chicken meatball hamburger topped with sweet and spicy special yakitori sauce and topped with a soft-boiled egg.
Enjoy authentic charcoal-grilled yakitori with teriyaki flavor.
Facilities & Services
This izakaya is a place in Ebisu where you can fully enjoy charcoal-grilled chicken made from the freshest local chicken.
The Japanese-style private rooms with kotatsu can accommodate up to 12 people, and private rooms can be rented out for up to 35 people.
Foreign language menus are also available.
Features of Izakaya in Ebisu
Ebisu, a town for adults, has many izakaya with a great atmosphere and private rooms.
Why not stop by for a meal with your family or group, or even alone at the counter?
Written by Ruby
From Seattle, USA.
Lived in Japan for 4 years.
I am a graphic designer who works for an IT company in Ebisu.
I recently bought a single-lens reflex camera and enjoy photographing lake and forest scenery.
I will introduce nice restaurants that serve delicious Japanese food and sake.