Tabelog
Japan's trusted restaurant ratings app. Locals use it to find good restaurants.
What Tabelog is
Tabelog is Japan's most trusted restaurant review and rating platform, the one locals consult to decide where to eat. Its scores run on a stricter scale than Western apps, so even modest-looking ratings can signal an excellent meal. For travelers, it's a reliable way to find genuinely good restaurants beyond tourist traps, and many listings include menus, photos, and hours.
What it does for travelers
- ✓Locally trusted ratings, where scores above the mid-3s already indicate a strong restaurant
- ✓Detailed listings with menus, price ranges, opening hours, and access info
- ✓Search by area, cuisine, budget, and dining occasion
- ✓User photos and reviews that reflect Japanese diners' standards
- ✓Reservation links for some restaurants
Good to know
- The content is Japan-focused and heavily in Japanese, though an English interface exists with somewhat less detail
- Basic browsing is free; some premium ranking and search features sit behind paid tiers
- Tabelog's rating scale is compressed, so don't dismiss a 3.5 the way you might elsewhere
- Needs a data connection to browse listings on the go
Tips from the road
- Treat anything around 3.5 and up as a very good bet, since few restaurants ever break into the high 3s
- Cross-check opening hours and holidays in the listing, as many Japanese restaurants close on irregular days
- Use the map and access notes to find the entrance, which can be on upper floors or down side streets
- If the English listing is thin, view the Japanese page or paste the restaurant name into a maps app for directions
When to reach for it
Turn to Tabelog when eating in Japan and you want the local consensus on quality rather than tourist-skewed ratings.
Travelers use Tabelog in
Tabelog — frequently asked
What is a good Tabelog score?
Tabelog uses a strict 5-point scale where most restaurants cluster around 3, so a score of about 3.5 or higher already marks a notably good restaurant. Anything in the high 3s is exceptional.
Is Tabelog in English?
There is an English version of the site and app, but it carries less detail than the Japanese original. For full menus and reviews, the Japanese listings are richer.
Can I make restaurant reservations through Tabelog?
Some listings offer online reservation links, though not every restaurant supports it. Many places still expect a phone call or walk-in, especially smaller ones.