Picks - 5 south Indian restaurants
2
Judging by the lines at several of these South Indian restaurants, Tokyo folk can't get enough of the intense flavors and fragrant whole spices that characterize the cuisine. Here are five of the best places to discover some new taste sensations.

5. All-you-can-eat lunchtime curries at Venu's (Kinshicho)

This shitamachi place has a canteen-like atmosphere, but its full Chennai flavors and excellent value for money keep the locals coming back for more. The lunch set includes all-you-can-eat vegetable and meat curries, and unlimited biriyani with chunks of tasty chicken throughout.
venu's
5
venu's
5
venu's
5
4. Generous portions at Andhra Dining (Ginza)

Given its location near Kyobashi, this restaurant is slightly more upmarket but the flavors pop just as vibrantly as the others. The generous portions of curries mean you will definitely take advantage of the servers coming around the tables with offerings of more fluffy basmati rice. Try the fish molly or lemon chicken!
andhra
4
andhra
4
andhra
4
3. Dosa set meals at Dakshin (Bakurocho)

The dosa set is a very filling bargain here, along with the chicken or mutton biriyani and the Kerala fish curry with basmati rice. You can watch the chefs at work on the first floor or take in the view of the rag-trade area from the window of the airy upstairs room.
dakshin
3
dakshin
3
dakshin
3
2. Spicy biryanis at Erick South (Yaesu)

There is usually a line here for the real South Indian flavors at this Tokyo Station branch, but the turnover is fast so you can order while you're on line and be served as soon as you sit down. The regional staples such as meals, biriyani and curries are all packed with spices that make each mouthful an adventure.
erick south
2
erick south
2
1. Hyderabad and Chettinad specialties at Nandhini (Uchisaiwaicho)
Word is out among the Tokyo Indian community about Nandhini - it's packed at lunchtime with people looking for a taste of home. You can get biriyani on Monday and Thursday for lunch, but the rest of the menu is packed with flavor too.

Try the dosa lunch with the curry of the day - usually a local delicacy from Hyderabad or Chettinad.
nandhini
1
nandhini
1
nandhini
1
nandhini
1
Taste-tested by
Tokyo-based bon vivant and dosa enthusiast Richard Jeffery
Follow
Share
Taste-tested by
Tokyo-based bon vivant and dosa enthusiast Richard Jeffery
Explore some more
researched by Tokyo Picks
6 contemporary art galleries in Bakurocho
The Bakurocho neighborhood is home to Tokyo's most cutting-edge contemporary-art galleries. Here's a pick of our favorites, along with a few select cafes, lunch spots, beer bars, restaurants and other spots to visit.
taste-tested by Richard Jeffery
5 south Indian restaurants
Judging by the lines at several of these South Indian restaurants, Tokyo folk can't get enough of the intense flavors and fragrant whole spices that characterize the cuisine. Here are some favorites.
picked by Where In Tokyo
8 dioramas
All those tiny people - where are they all going? What are their lives like? Here are some of the best places to ponder these important questions.
curated by Jonelle Patrick
4 flower gardens in bloom year-round
There's something in bloom in Tokyo every month of the year - if you know where to look.
test-imbibed by Bento.com
Ginza sake-bar tour
If you find yourself in Ginza with an hour to spare and you wouldn't mind trying out different styles of sake from all over Japan, we've got just the places for you.
selected by Tim Eustace
4 under-the-radar craft-beer restaurants
Tim Eustace introduces five Tokyo craft-beer restaurants and bars that serve very good beer and food, but aren't widely known or reported on.
researched by Tokyo Picks
9 things to do at Tokyo Skytree
There's a lot more going on at Skytree than just the observation deck. And since it's all indoors, Skytree is a good all-day destination for when Tokyo is too hot, too cold or too rainy to spend time outside.
curated by Ryo Seven
5 random martinis in Tokyo
Cocktail connoisseur Ryo Seven recommends five Tokyo bars he likes to visit when he gets that martini itch.
surveyed by Where In Tokyo
Kenzo Tange buildings in Tokyo
Our pick of the Tokyo buildings designed by Japan's most prominent 20th-century architect.
inspected by AnimalCafes.com
Cat Cafes for Kids
Many families visiting (or even living in) Tokyo are surprised to learn that most cat cafes don't allow young children. There are a number of exceptions though, so here is a guide to our favorite cat cafes for kids, broken down by age group.
taste-tested by Bento.com
6 cheese restaurants
Once found almost exclusively in expense-account Swiss restaurants, cheese fondue, raclette and other cheesy delights are surging in popularity in Tokyo.
selected by Where In Tokyo
5 aquariums (metro area)
Where are the best places to marvel at manta rays and hang out with penguins? Here are aquarium picks for the metropolitan area.
test-crawled by Craft Beer Bars Japan
Kanda craft-beer bar tour
Although it's not especially fashionable, trendy or gourmet-conscious, somehow the Kanda neighborhood has turned into a major destination for craft-beer fans in Tokyo. Here's our guided (DIY) tour of 10 of the area's best bars.
researched by Where In Tokyo
Getting the most out of the Grutto Pass
The Grutto Pass provides free admission to more than seventy museums and other attractions during a two-month period. Here's a map of all of them, plus recommendations for some favorite spots.
selected by Bento.com
6 burger joints
Gourmet hamburgers are everywhere in Tokyo these days, but where do you go to find the meatiest, juiciest patties in town? Here's a rundown of a few of our favorites.
inspected by Where In Tokyo
5 train museums (metro area)
Train simulators, room-size train layouts, vintage uniforms and full-size locomotives - where are the best places for train buffs to indulge?