101 things to do in Roppongi

Kakigori is the ultimate Tokyo summer dessert. This Roppongi spot takes the old favourite to another level with flavours like tiramisu and carrot-mascarpone while also touting a luxurious four-berry variety. Kakigori Cafe & Bar Yelo

Nothing goes to waste at Kanazawa-based brewery Fukumitsuya: its Tokyo Midtown shop doesn’t just sell nihonshu, but also food and skincare products derived from sake. Sake Shop Fukumitsuya

Run by famed sushi master Jiro Ono's second son, Takashi Ono, this is the perfect spot to indulge in some of Tokyo's finest fish. Be sure to make a reservation well ahead as this eight-seater is always on tight demand. For those wanting to try out an omakase sushi experience, there's no better place to start your eating adventure. Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongi

If you're looking for a quality and filling meal, look no further than this speciality pork cutlet shop in Nishi-Azabu. Pick your pig from the pork options ranging from Spanish to domestic, the latter sourced from numerous regions across Japan. Tonkatsu Butagumi

Housed in a stylish space close to Roppongi Station, Japan’s first BrewDog bar has a total of 20 varieties of beer on tap, while the food menu holds its own with offerings like homemade burgers and hotdogs. BrewDog Roppongi

It's easy to end up missing your last train home at this warmly inviting rum bar – and you'll need until dawn to sample even a fraction of the rare tipples on offer. Tafia

Famous for being the original maker of taiyaki (fish-shaped dessert filled with sweet bean paste), Naniwaya opened in 1909 and is still at the top of the taiyaki game. Buy the treats as gifts or enjoy fresh warm ones at the shop. Naniwaya

Treat yourself to some quality wagyu at this meat specialist hidden down the side streets of Roppongi. One of the highlights of visiting Matsurokuya is the special lunch, limited to 30 bowls per day. Get there early to avoid missing out on the wagyu hitsumabushi (A5-grade wagyu served over rice) for an easy ¥2,000. Matsurokuya

Oden – vegetables, fish cakes, tofu and other ingredients simmered in broth – is one of Japan’s favourite winter warmers, and it doesn't get much tastier than at Fukushimaya. Also available in summer. Oden Fukushimaya

A hip darts bar with an even hipper ‘i Tower’ drinks machine that serves a cocktail of Hennessy Cognac and iced black tea. Look out for seasonal events especially over Halloween and Christmas. I Darts Tokyo

The bland uniformity of your average Indian eatery menu is swiftly forgotten at Nirvana New York, where the cuisine is as inspired as it is wallet-busting. The chic indoor dining room is appealing enough, but when the weather’s good it’s hard to resist the outdoor terrace. Nirvana New York

Tokyo’s love of Brazilian barbecue seems to know no bounds. One of the finer churrascarias in town is this Roppongi branch of Barbacoa, which has seating for 200, bookable private rooms, and a great value churrasco lunch for ¥3,600 (plus tax). Barbacoa Roppongi Hills

Talented mixologist Gen Yamamoto returned from New York to open this eight-seat bar in early 2013 – an intimate setting to enjoy his seasonal, individually tailored cocktails. Gen Yamamoto

Watch as pastry chefs whip up beautifully handcrafted sweets right in front of you – as much about the experience as it is about the eating, Toshi Yoroizuka at Midtown isn't your average dessert den. Enjoy unique treats like blue cheese ice cream and molten chocolate souffles filled with tangy passion fruit compote. Toshi Yoroizuka

How better to round off a night in Roppongi than with a hearty bowl of noodles? Tsurutontan keeps serving its udon – ranging from traditional Kansai styles to carbonara – until 8am. Tsurutontan

The ideal lunch spot for athletic types, Total Workout Cafe offers a range of low-fat salads, sandwiches, pastas, protein drinks – and even healthy desserts. Total Workout Cafe

Specialising in traditional Japanese sweets, this shop serves up popular dishes including their ogura toast, made with sweet bean paste, and gelatinous warabimochi dusted with kinako soybean flour. It's not all desserts, though: there's a smaller section of the menu devoted to savoury dishes. Amanoya

The hamburgers are juicy, the walls are crammed with memorabilia and the music's always cranked up to 11 at this long-running institution, recently given a slick makeover. Hard Rock Cafe

Who said ramen was just for blokes? The Afuri chain woos the ladies with its light, chicken-based broth, served in a setting that’s more like a designer dining bar than a noodle shop. Afuri

When you need to entertain clients in style, this low-lit hotel bar is the place to head... and lose yourself in a sophisticated world of cocktails, cigars and live jazz. Maduro

There aren't many sushi restaurants that you'd recommend for something other than fish – but then, there aren't many that make inarizushi as distinctive as Otsuna's. Otsuna Sushi

Gyoza (aka Chinese dumplings) are normally eaten with soy sauce, but this family-run Chinese restaurant puts a twist on tradition by serving it with vinegar and pepper. It’s juicy on the inside and crispy golden brown on the outside. Perfect paired with a beer. Minmin Gyoza

Vietnamese pho noodles are the speciality of this eatery, whose out-of-the-way location hasn't stopped it becoming a popular lunch spot. Just leave some space for the spring rolls too. Pho Dragon

Take your pick from the seafood lined up on a bed of ice inside the restaurant; choose your favourite fish and preparation method (as carpaccio, with pasta, the list goes on) and you're good to go. #Uni

The Counter is located on the basement floor of Midtown and offers relief to local patty-munchers. Customise your very own burger with a long list of choices: pick exactly what type of patty, cheese, sauce and topping you'd like from a myriad of options. The Counter Roppongi 

Toraya has been crafting wagashi (Japanese traditional confections) since the early 16th century. Besides its main shop, this branch also houses a café and gallery, and stocks a wonderful range of traditional souvenirs. Toraya Tokyo Midtown

A haven for adventurously minded Tokyoites, this basement venue hosts improv gigs, dance shows and Pecha Kucha nights – and serves the highly quaffable Tokyo Ale. SuperDeluxe

Koichi Kobari closed his popular soba joint in NYC to open this Roppongi shop, and SoHo's loss was our gain. Even measured against the far stiffer local competition, Honmura An's noodles are superb. Honmura An

Hailing from New York City, Benjamin is a solid destination for quality-conscious carnivores. Hungry diners can look forward to dry-aged USDA Prime beef in all the usual cuts. Benjamin Steakhouse

Legends sports bar has become a hotspot for watching football, drawing in large crowds with its big-screen TVs and appropriate menu of pizzas, chicken wings, French fries and beers. Legends Sports Bar and Grill

The takeout-only Falafel Brothers serves up fried-to-order crispy and gluten-free treats in both sandwich and salad form. Choose your toppings from a selection of ten or so options and wash it all down with a bottle of Maccabee beer. Falafel Brothers

L’Effervescence is, for many, the pinnacle of French dining in Tokyo. Under chef and owner Shinobu Namae, the restaurant has received countless national and international accolades – including two Michelin stars and a spot on the San Pellegrino Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list for the last three years. L’Effervescence

Hidden behind a patch of greenery one level down from Gaien Higashi-dori, Blue Bottle offers a measure of peace and quiet to go with the familiar speciality coffee and simple but tasty edibles. Sold only here, the Roppongi sandwich (¥650) is a colourful combo of vegetables like tomato, carrot and avocado. Blue Bottle Coffee Roppongi

Dominating the Nishi-Azabu crossing like a feudal Japanese castle, Gonpachi was supposedly an inspiration for Kill Bill, making it an essential stop for cinema junkies. Recommended dishes include the soba noodles and kushiyaki. Gonpachi

Gone are the days you couldn't find a decent breakfast in Tokyo. Eggcellent opens at 7am (8am on weekends) and has been satisfying early birds with a range of eggs benedict (made with organic eggs) since November 2013. Eggcellent

Experimental chef Seiji Yamamoto has put modern Japanese cuisine on the map with his three-Michelin-star restaurant. Hailed as Japan’s leading molecular gastronomist, Yamamoto applies cutting-edge technology to the tradition of kaiseki ryori, which involves a theatrical series of small courses. Ryugin

Equipped with a state-of-the-art Steampunk machine, Maruyama teems with discerning coffee lovers every day, serving up speciality brews made with a range of single-origin beans. Admittedly a little pricey, but they do let you sample all varieties. Maruyama Coffee Nishi-Azabu

At this authentic British fish and chips shop fresh cod is delivered each day before being fried in a secret batter mix, and then served with fries and mushy peas. The result is a deliciously rich and crispy comfort lunch – or late-night snack since the shop is open till 4am on the weekends. Malins

Dedicated to the preservation of the Ottoman Empire's court cuisine, the chefs at Burgaz Ada incorporate a myriad of exotic herbs and spices into their dishes. Try the chef's signature creation: grilled spring lamb chops quickly dipped in a 'secret', herb-packed marinade before being prepared over an open fire. Burgaz Ada