Nagaokaya Shitamachi-Baru — Restaurant in Tokyo

June 22, 2025

Booked a table at 6pm on a Sunday -- already full of people in the middle of feasting when we entered.

Lamb chops can be ordered with two flavors: simply salted and comes with slightly spicy green paste, or with tare sauce. 600y per chop and it's not too large so each of us had 6 chops along with other dishes: roasted deer, cheese with tiny berries that deliver with a gentle sweet taste, octopus ajillo and white liver paste. We didn't have the paella as we were already quite full but that also looked tasty. We got a red Spanish pitcher (4 glasses) for drinks, and both creme brulee and panna cotta for dessert. Everything was absolutely tasty.

A HUGE drawback was, however, us being sat at a counter tucked away in the corner the restaurant and it was way too HOT! This was away from the main grill in the middle of the restaurant so we didn't see the grilling action, but the hotness really bothered me from start to finish, especially eating meaty and rich dishes at a lamb chop house. I requested for a seat change but was told every table was booked out for the night... Anyhow, please absolutely improve ventilation in...

Great place for a couple or a group of friends to enjoy good food and drink. Lamb chops are the centerpiece of the menu and they are served seasoned or marinated with soy sauce. At $3.50 each, they are fantastic. I also chose the roasted (grilled) deer, as it is not a commonly found menu item and I love the rare finds. A small plate served with mashed potatoes and a sweet side sauce was $10.00 and worth every penny. The atmosphere is casual and cozy with the grill centered and surrounded by a sit and eat countertop. Nice setting with a few options for mixed drinks, cocktails, and beer. The wine options are really good and if you want your money’s worth, like I do, you can opt for the “2 hours, out of barrel, all you can drink, red or white (or both) wine for $9.50. 😎 I think I finished about 6 glasses of wine in that time so... if you want a perfect “pregame” spot or a meat and drink, meet up spot,...

I was never a fan of lamb chops until I tried Nagaokaya!

We were an hour late into our table reservation as we were tired from our early morning flight and moving luggage to Airbnb but the host managed to find us a table for our dinner. 🥲

You know you are in the right place when you walk past drinking places with lively and vibrant atmosphere as you locate this establishment.

As first timers, we opted for the lamb chops, some drinking dishes and wished we ordered baguette to scoop up the delicious motsunikomi gravy.

If our appetite had been better, or we had more diners, I would have tried the baked mashed potato and paella.

People around us are drinking til their faces are red and ordering small dishes over and over again. It was a great experience! I will return whenever I'm in Ueno the next time I come back to Tokyo!

Thanks for not laughing at my mediocre Japanese...