Written by Patrick Balfe
If you’ve spent any time traveling with a group in Tokyo, you’ll know that finding somewhere to eat together can have its challenges. Particularly in popular areas like Harajuku. While Takeshita Street and its surrounds are a mecca for street food, sometimes a weary travel squad needs a sit-down and something more substantial.
Fear not, we’ve munched our way from Jingumae to Omotesandō and discovered the best restaurants for groups in Harajuku. Behold.
1. Editor’s pick: Sakura Tei — the biggest okonomiyaki restaurant in Japan, best for Japanese food
Sakura Tei has been a Harajuku institution for three decades. Once a sharehouse, the two-story building was converted into an artsy okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) restaurant in the ‘90s and hasn’t looked back since.
Seating around 220 in total, the restaurant is known for its casual DIY approach to okonomiyaki, monjayaki, and noodle dishes where you cook at your table with your group.
Crowd favorites on the menu are their signature “Sakura Yaki” okonomiyaki set and noodle dishes like the soba-meshi noodles and yakisoba. They also have vegetarian, vegan, and Muslim-friendly options, and great value all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink packages.
The extensive drink menu features Japanese classics like Asahi draft beer, whisky, shochu, and sake, as well as wine, sparkling, cocktails, and signature specials.
Right next to the popular Design Festa art gallery, the walls of Sakura Tei are regularly decorated by a rotating roster of local and international artists, adding a super vibey, ever-changing atmosphere each visit.
Plus, the friendly and upbeat staff can answer any questions you have about your meal and even help you cook if you want a hand.
Sakura Tei can easily accommodate large groups with or without a reservation, and they’re open year-round from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., so you can even pop in mid-afternoon. They’re a roughly 10-minute walk from Harajuku Station.
Address: 3 Chome-20-1 Jingumae, Shibuya
2. Chao San Bamboo — Thai and Vietnamese
Chao San Bamboo is the third and largest addition to Chao Bamboo Group’s roster of Harajuku Thai and Vietnamese restaurants. Sitting around 100, you’ll rarely have an issue getting seated with a group of five or so at Chao San, and if you do, you can always try the nearby Chao Bamboo or Chao Cho Bamboo.
All three locations offer super casual, affordable, and fairly extensive Thai and Vietnamese menus featuring classics like gapao rice, khao man gai, pad thai, pho, and tom yum. They also have a range of Southeast Asian and Japanese drinks.
All stores have indoor and outdoor seating options and are easily accessible from Harajuku Station.
Address: 1F Jingumae Sakai Building, 6-9-11 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
3. Las Dos Caras — Mexican
Meaning “the two faces,” Las Dos Caras lives up to its name with group-friendly dining spread across two distinct floors. The 1st-floor restaurant caters to groups with an open-plan dining area, a private room, and a large communal table. Downstairs, the stylish bar and dining area sits around 80, including a spacious outdoor terrace.
The menu is described as modern Mexican and features casual classics like tacos, fajitas, and enchiladas for lunch, plus more substantial options for dinner. The drinks menu features a wide range of beers, cocktails, wines, and spirits.
The restaurant is located in Cascade Harajuku, a roughly 5-minute walk from Harajuku Station.
Address: 1F/B1 Cascade Harajuku, 1-10-37 Jingumae, Shibuya
4. Smokehouse — American BBQ
Brought to you by the people behind TY Harbor, Smokehouse describes itself as Tokyo’s first authentic BBQ restaurant. Situated on Cat Street and opened in 2013, the restaurant seats around 80 people in total, with a combination of bar, table, and booth seating inside, as well as an outdoor terrace.
Its menu boasts everything you’d expect from an American BBQ place — ribs, pulled pork, brisket, as well as burgers and sandwiches. They’ve got a decent range of American craft beers and spirits, and if you have room — a generous dessert menu featuring banana pudding, layer cake, pecan pie, and other American classics.
Address: 2F Niki Building, 5-7-13 Jingumae, Shibuya
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. This post was sponsored by Sakura Tei, but the selection of restaurants was our own.
