The Best Restaurants of All Time Are Here: A Perfect Showcase of Exquisite Wines and Signature Dishes

HowToTrip has recommended many restaurants since its inception. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of our monthly publication, we have selected 120 top-rated establishments from those that have previously earned three stars, conducted another round of undercover visits, and chosen the ones that are "absolutely worth trying." These restaurants can be considered the "best of the best" in HowToTrip’s history. The Best Restaurants of All Time Are Here: Revisiting the Establishments We’ve Featured Over the Past Decade.

Text and Photos / HowToTrip Special Edition No.001 Digital Version, published by Huayun Digital

Shinbashi
Italian Cuisine
A.te
Enjoy exquisite wines and dishes in a hidden gem of a restaurant
Nestled on the second floor of an alley near Shinbashi Station, it's hard to imagine such an elegant and relaxing space behind this small entrance. The menu, featuring Italian cuisine as its base, showcases an array of creative dishes meticulously prepared with seasonal ingredients—listed densely on a blackboard that's a feast for the eyes. The female owner, who is also a sommelier, has carefully selected 70–80 types of wine from around the world for the restaurant, with about 10 red and white wines available by the glass. Whether you’re gathering with friends or enjoying a peaceful solo meal, this is a great place to visit.

▲ We serve dishes that bring out the flavors of the wine. — Chef Daisuke Hirayama

▲ [Dinner Only] Handmade Tagliolini with Black Truffle (トリュフの手打ちタリオリーニ) ¥2,000

Generous slices of delicate black truffle are sprinkled over the pasta, releasing a rich aroma. The sauce, made from duck bone broth, is lightly seasoned with just olive oil—perfect for savoring the truffle’s full flavor. The handmade tagliolini noodles are also deliciously satisfying.

▲ [Dinner Only] Grilled Mackerel Slices with Eggplant and Tomato Gelée (炙りサンマとナスのカルパッチョ　トマトジュレ) ¥1,600

The richly fatty mackerel is lightly grilled on the surface and sliced into easy-to-eat pieces. The clear gelée concentrates the tomato flavor, offering a refreshingly light taste. The fried eggplant at the base, marinated with lemon and olive oil, is also delicious.

▲ [Dinner Only] Smoked Duck with Stir-Fried Seasonal Vegetables and Pesto (スモークダックの野菜炒めとペスト) ¥1,700

Take a bite of the homemade smoked cherry duck breast, and your nose will be filled with an unparalleled aroma, while the juicy, flavorful texture spreads in your mouth. The vibrant green sauce, made from parsley and arugula, has a slight bitterness that defines the dish.

Drinks: Draft beer ¥700/glass, small bottle ¥800 and up; None; Wine by the glass ¥800 and up, by the bottle ¥4,000 and up; No Japanese sake
Other options: (Lunch) Spaghetti Lunch Set (スパゲティランチ) ¥900–¥1,000, Dry Curry Rice (ドライカレー) ¥1,000; (Dinner) Chicken Liver Pâté (鶏レバーパテ) ¥1,200, Spicy Tomato Mussel Pasta (ムール貝のトマト香辛スパゲッティ) ¥1,200, Homemade Bacon and Egg Pasta (自家製ベーコン＆卵スパゲッティ) ¥1,400

2F, 2-15-17 Shinbashi, Minato, Tokyo / Tel: 03-5251-0607 / Hours: 11:30–14:30 (Lunch only Tue–Fri), 17:30–24:00 (Last order 22:30) / Closed Sun & national holidays / Counter: 11 seats; Tables: 3 tables (2-seater & 4-seater each), total 29 seats / No smoking during lunch hours, no non-smoking area at night / Card payments accepted / Reservations only available for dinner / No service charge / Access: 3-min walk from Shinbashi Station Exit Umesando, JR Yamanote Line

▲ The atmosphere inside the restaurant is relaxing. Many guests come here to enjoy wine and food at their own pace.

Photography / Shinya Nishizaki Interview / Chihiro Ishibe

* HowToTrip Special Edition No.001 Digital Version launched on major e-book platforms on 2015/2/10, priced at 49 yuan. The HowToTrip Special Edition Trial Issue Digital Version is also now available for free download from Huayun Digital Publishing.