The 15 Best Izakayas in the World

Nikkei in Cairo sounds like a novelty act, but Izakaya commits to the premise. The format is Japanese izakaya, small plates and raw bar designed for grazing, but the kitchen runs on a Peruvian sensibility, so gyoza and robata dishes arrive with South American instincts folded in. Local sourcing keeps the menu grounded wherever the concept wanders. A 50 Discovery from The 50 list.

1. The 50 The 50 Discovery

Kiha is a train-themed standing bar where the decor commits harder than most commuters do. Ambient rail sounds play, empty ekiben boxes line the staircase, and upstairs there's a full replica of a train car, with conductor outfits for photos. You pay by the clock rather than the drink, so the snacks stay simple: canned sardines under cheese, karaage, fries. It's The Infatuation's pick for both Tokyo's best bars and izakayas.

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2. The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo

By day this is a fishcake shop with trays of neatly arranged product and no particular interest in your evening plans. At 7pm it flips into a standing-room oden bar tucked into Harmonica Yokocho, where you eat simmered fishcakes off your feet and drink sake in cheap, small cups. Tell the staff when you're halfway through and they'll top it off with oden broth, which locals insist helps the hangover. Nobody has verified this, but it's warm.

1. The Infatuation The Best Bars In Tokyo
2. The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo

Ballpoint pen drawings cover every wall of this tiny lounge at The Venetian, which is doing its best Shinjuku Golden Gai impression, and pulling it off better than it has any right to. DJs push house music loud enough to rattle the sake glasses while the drinks lean Japanese, gin and matcha cocktails alongside serious whiskey pours. Small and clubby, with neon doing most of the decorating.

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1. The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo

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2. The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo

1. The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo

1. The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo

1. The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo

1. The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo

1. The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo

1. Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
2. The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo

The restaurant's name painted across the side of the building sets the tone before you're even inside. Tori Tori is a Mills District izakaya, meaning you'll spend a happy evening moving between yakitori skewers, creative sake cocktails, and fried rice packed with crab. No reservations, so the drill is arriving early or accepting your fate in the line out front, which most regulars seem to take as a point of pride.

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1. The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo

1. The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo