Restaurant Q — Restaurant in Tokyo

🌟The “Q” in Restaurant Q stands for quality, and it lives up to the name.

We came here late in the day and didn’t have to wait. The space is small and intimate — just a cozy, quiet spot run by two kind people. The atmosphere is nostalgic and local, like a tiny time capsule tucked away in Tokyo. Soft Japanese radio plays in the background, and the walls are filled with old posters, celebrity signatures, and personal mementos. It feels like a place with soul.

The food surprised us — in a good way. The Katsu we tried was crispy, satisfying, and not oily: the katsu, fried shrimp, hamburger steak, and crab croquette were all excellent. The flavors were warm, balanced, and comforting — not too bold, but far from bland. The portions were decent, and the total for our hungry group of three came out to just 4,000 yen (~$30 USD), which felt like an amazing deal.

We’d absolutely come back — the menu is extensive, and there’s so much more we wanted to try. Note that the Japanese menu is more complete than the English one, so if you want the full experience, bring a translation app or ask the staff for recommendations.

One of the staff spoke with me for over half an hour, sharing the restaurant’s long history — it opened in 1978, and she showed me her handwritten diary full of memories (including notes from countless past customers). The place has hosted comedians, professors, politicians, and countless regulars over the years. She even gave us local pamphlets and guides, noting that both Asakusa and Ueno Park are just a short walk away (about 10 minutes).

✅ Tips & Recommendations: Go early if you can — it’s small, so it can fill up fast. Plan a trip around when you eat lunch here to Ueno park, Tokyo university, Asakusa, or Tokyo National university, all within walking distance Smaller groups (2–4 people) are easier to seat. Use the elevator — especially in rainy weather. Explore the decor — there’s a lot of local charm on the walls. Use a translation app to get the full menu.

Recommended dishes: hamburger steak, katsu, crab croquette, unagi — all delicious.

In summary, if you’re looking for a place with great food and a strong sense of place, Restaurant Q is...

Quaint shop with affordable food and good portion size. Owner handles all cooking and serving herself, so expect some waiting time. Ordered set with sautéed pork, crab cream croquette, and Hamburg steak with rice and miso soup. Humble fare seasoned appropriately and a go-to for Japanese style Western food. You won’t have trouble finding set meals priced below USD20.

Some cons: Small restaurant with limited seating area, slightly disorganised with a large menu selection and menu without many English translations. But maybe that’s the charm of this...

A great little place for a fresh and tasty meal. Our family of four had plenty of space and choice on the menu. All plates were finished with enthusiasm. The crab croquettes and pork and chicken were delicious. The salads were lovely and fresh and the sauces were tasty and the miso was also great. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the care taken from our chef for our meal. I...