2025.09.25 | Recommendations

Lunchtime Strolls in Yanesen: Discovering Hidden Gems

A walk through Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi—collectively known as Yanesen—naturally leads to thoughts of food. The nostalgic streets lined with traditional houses and retro storefronts invite you to step into charming eateries that catch your eye along the way.

Instead of planning every detail in advance, part of the joy here is to wander, follow your curiosity, and enjoy a lively lunch in good company.

In this guide, we’ll introduce some of the most welcoming lunch spots in Yanesen—perfect places to pause your stroll and savor the unique flavors of the neighborhood.

Sanpota Cafe Nonbiriya

A 15-minute walk from HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU, this restaurant with a retro vibe is a traditional Japanese house cafe during the day and a bar at night, called “Sanpota Cafe Nonbiriya.” The noren (shop curtain) standing alone has a somewhat nostalgic atmosphere.

Inside the restaurant, there are tatami mat rooms where you can take off your shoes and relax, and “doma” style seats that are reminiscent of old houses. The space with a low table and wooden chairs feels nostalgic and has a warmth as if you were visiting your grandparents’ house.

We ordered green curry, Japanese-style Gapao rice, and omelet rice from the lunch menu. They are all colorful, and just looking at them makes you hungry.

What especially catches the eye is the omelet rice with a black filling. Inside the fluffy egg is black rice made with squid ink, and a rich, savory flavor spreads with every bite. You will be surprised by its visual impact, but its gentle taste will make you smile. It is a dish you can only find here, with a fun gap between its appearance and taste.

<Store Information>
Store Name: Sanpota Cafe Nonbiriya
Address: 5-2-29 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Weekdays 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays
Instagram: @cafe.nonbiriya

Bistro Dublin

A 4-minute walk from HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU, “Bistro Dublin” is a cozy and warm bistro. Attracted by its peaceful atmosphere, it is a place you’ll want to drop by alone. During lunchtime, the space feels like a time slip to an old-fashioned Western-style restaurant. You can enjoy classic menu items like nostalgic omelet rice and hamburg steak. It’s very popular with locals as well as tourists and is always lively.

For the popular omelet rice, you can choose your favorite sauce from ketchup or demi-glace sauce. It’s a satisfying dish with a salad, soup, and spaghetti set, and the combination of the special chicken rice and fluffy egg is exceptional! The price is ¥1,200, which is a great value!

The hamburg steak (¥1,100), which is as popular as the omelet rice, is also recommended. You can choose from two types of sauces: demi-glace and Japanese-style. The rich demi-glace sauce is poured over the firm hamburg steak, and it goes perfectly with rice.

<Store Information>
Store Name: Bistro Dublin
Address: 2-10-1 Nezu, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Last Order)
Saturday & Holidays 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM (Last Order), 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Last Order)
Sunday 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM (Last Order)
Closed: Mondays
Instagram: @bistro_dublin

Hachidaime Denzaemon Meshiya

A 10-minute walk from HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU, there is a charming set meal restaurant. The exterior looks like a traditional Japanese house. By the way, this building was a row house for a boiled bean store during the Taisho era. When you enter the restaurant, the first thing that catches your eye is the counter seating. There are many customers enjoying a meal alone, and the lively atmosphere tells you how comfortable the restaurant is.

Based on the concept of “food you won’t get tired of eating every day,” they offer set meals made with fresh ingredients sourced from Toyosu. The set meals come with a choice of brown or white rice, a miso soup with many ingredients, pickles, and a small side dish. Just one look, and you’ll feel satisfied with the volume and colors. They are also particular about their tea, and the deliciousness is further enhanced when you enjoy genmaicha, which goes perfectly with the Japanese set meal.

Among the attractive menu items on the sign, the one that especially caught my eye was the “Special Nikujaga Set Meal” (¥1,265). The large ingredients are well-seasoned, and the gentle taste feels somewhat nostalgic. It is a dish that will warm your heart.

<Store Information>
Store Name: Hachidaime Denzaemon Meshiya
Address: 6-1-27 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DENZAEMON/?locale=ja_JP

This time, we introduced some casual lunch spots in Yanesen that are easy to stop by and perfect to enjoy with someone.
Sharing a delicious meal at a restaurant you discover while strolling the neighborhood can turn an ordinary day into a memorable one. For your next lunch, why not invite a friend and explore Yanesen together?

＜Hotel Information＞
Name: HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU
Location: 4-5-10 Ikenohata, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0008
Access: 3-minute walk from Nezu Station on the Chiyoda Line
Web　/　Instagram