Note: Daikanyama is only a few minutes walk from Ebisu so perhaps mix up your Daikanyama & Ebisu options? Pick, switch and mix. I considered hitting both areas with one big post but there are so many cute spots and places to go that it’s better to split them up so you can select what works for you and your day ahead. Here is my post on Daikanyama with Kids.
Right next to JR Ebisu Station inside the Atre Department Store (West Building) is the cutest little coffee shop Sarutahiko Coffee with the cutest takeaway coffee cups ( I may or may not have gone there just to get my hot chocolate in this cup….)
If you decide to dine-in there is a cute little cafe seating area. If you’re with the kiddies they do have one lone highchair. Just one. Hehehe. But it is a pretty funky highchair.
In case you have a hard time finding this place, it is next to the florist and behind Shake Shack.
If you’re hungry they have some simple breakfast-type options like muffins, eggs on toast, french toast and some sweet breads.
If you like this brand of coffee, they have other stores in Omotesando, Shinjuku, Azabu, Kojimacho and Sengawa.
SARUTAHIKO COFFEE
渋谷区恵比寿南1-6-1
1-6-1 EBISUMINAMI, SHIBUYA
OPEN: 8AM-11PM
WEBSITE
There is also a Blue Bottle Coffee just before the west ticket gates at JR Ebisu Station.
BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE, EBISU STATION
渋谷区恵比寿南1-5-5 アトレ恵比寿本館 1F
GROUND FLOOR, ATRE EBISU MAIN BUILDING, 1-5-5 EBISU-MINAMI, SHIBUYA-KU
OPEN EVERYDAY 8AM-9PM
For Bagels to take away or eat in (and enjoy with a salad plate) I recommend Bagel & Bagel X Kiri. It is 4 minutes walk from Ebisu Station. Cash only.
Bagels are around 1500-1800 yen each. T hey also sell muffins.
BAGEL & BAGEL X KIRI
渋谷区恵比寿西1-2-7 恵比寿UKビル1F
GROUND FLOOR, EBISU UK BUILDING, 1-2-7 EBISUNISHI, SHIBUYA
OPEN 10AM-10PM (LAST ORDER 9:30PM)
Or for something organic or vegan you could try Marugo ( Maru = Circle and Go = 5). They were originally a store in the countryside in Okayama and now have a Tokyo City Branch which is doing so well. Their vegan ice-cream is one of their biggest sellers right now.
MARUGO EBISU
OPEN: 9AM – 7PM (& SUNDAYS 10AM-7PM)
PREMIERE EBISU BUILDING, 1st FLoor A.
渋谷区恵比寿西1-17-1プルミエール恵比寿 1F-A
MARUGO EBISU WEBSITE
It’s not a tourist destination, however, Ebisu Park is a great place to stretch out and have a bit of a run & play. There is a climbing frame, swings, a rocket ship slide, a smaller slide and a train to climb on and in. There is public toilet and lots of open space to run.
The rocket slide has recently been updated (March 2020)
Photo by @bichbich
EBISU PARK
1-19-1 EBISU NISHI
恵比寿西1-19-1
Just near the playground is the small Ebisu shrine, surrounded by little Tokyo streets and bustling restaurants.
EBISU SHRINE
1-11-1 EBISU-NISHI, SHIBUYA
渋谷区 恵比寿西1−11−1
If caffeine calls, the mural game for the new (well….new-ish… it opened in July…) Starbucks in Ebisu is pretty strong. These guys also have highchairs.
STARBUCKS, EBISU UNION BUILDING
渋谷区恵比寿南1-2-10
1-2-10 EBISU-MINAMI, SHIBUYA
OPEN 6:30AM-10:30PM (OPENS AT 7AM ON FRIDAYS AND WEEKENDS)
STARBUCKS EBISU WEBSITE
My number one veggie-haven at the moment is We are the Farm in Ebisu.
Lunch is especially good value but the dinner is also amazing.
The lunch course at this Farm-to-Table restaurant includes soup & a kale side salad and you can choose your own main : a vegetable gratin, a “choose your own ingredients salad” or a grilled vegetable platter (see pictures below) for 1500 yen.
This place is popular so you’ll need to make a reservation (or just call to make sure that they have seats available.)
This restaurant does not have high chairs.
I also love the We are the Farm’s lunch salad buffet (although they might not like me visiting as I just keep eating and eating.)
If you get the chance, they sell the amazing cheese and tomato dish at all times of the day.
My husband and I go here for date nights often and, I know it sounds weird to say but, this simple marinated onion served with rock salt was to die for!
We both love their ‘Chunky Veg’ gratin and the plate of all the amazing Japanese varieties of mushrooms was one of my favourites.
WE ARE THE FARM AZABU, EBISU
渋谷区恵比寿西8-8-23
8-8-23 EBISUNISHI, SHIBUYA
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11:30AM-3PM
WEEKDAY DINNERS: 6PM-11:30PM
WEEKEND DINNERS: 5PM-11:30PM
WE ARE THE FARM EBISU
There are other We are the Farm restaurants in Azabujuban and in Akasaka.
Gluten free option in Ebisu!
It’s random but a good old reliable option for those who are strictly gluten free. Dominos Pizza does not have gluten free pizzas BUT they do have a wheat free pizza rice bowl. There is a Dominos Pizza in Ebisu – 9 mins walk from Ebisu Station. See the rice bowl on the Dominos Japan menu here.
If you’re looking to try Japan’s Fruit & Vegetable sandwiches but are vegan – I recommend trying out the brand new Vegan Store called Fruits and Season. They open at 11am but sell their beautiful sandwiches until they run out so don’t go too late in the day.
FRUITS & SEASON
渋谷区恵比寿西1-10-1 グリーンパラスビル1F
GROUND FLOOR, GREEN PALACE BUILDING, 1-10-1 EBISU NISHI, SHIBUYA
OPEN: 11AM-8PM
CLOSED: MONDAYS
FRUITS AND SEASON WEBSITE
It’s not always easy to get a big portion of raw Greens in this Japan so this is a yummy pit-stop of mine.
All sections of their menus contain English as well as Japanese. It’s a good place to get an American style chopped salad.
They also do take-aways…
GREEN BROTHERS EBISU
1-9-7 EBISU-NISHI, SHIBUYA
渋谷区恵比寿西1-9-7
OPEN: 11AM-10PM
WEBSITE
My Japanese friends are going to laugh at me for recommending this next place (it’s literally next door to Green Brothers) but I think it’s a cool option for something a bit different.
Yoshinoya is a gyudon (marinated or fried meat, or fish, served on rice) chain eatery BUT the Ebisu store is a new concept store unlike the other Japan-wide restaurants. It’s a “premium” version of Yoshinoya, designed to appeal more to female customers.
If you want to really eat like the local businessmen on their lunch break or a Japanese version of a casual, quick, sandwich shop lunch – I think this is a tasty treat (and I love the people watching here too.)
The prices are so reasonable.
It’s approximately 500 yen for a rice and meat bowl that also comes with a small side salad and miso soup.
See here for the complete Yoshinoya English Menu . There is also an in-store English menu in this Ebisu branch of Yoshinoya.
If you enjoy this meal, you’re in luck, this chain has stores dotted all over Japan (although this is the only “premium” store with greenery and more of a family-friendly feel.
They have booth seating as well as table seating and yes the have high chairs (no tray attached at the front though.) They also have children’s forks and plastic plates.
All drinks are self-serve for around 150 yen.
There isn’t a change table but I think I would easily manage to change a nappy of a small baby of this counter (excuse my toilet photography!)
YOSHINOYA, EBISU EKIMAE STORE
渋谷区恵比寿西1-9-6
1-9-6 EBISUNISHI, SHIBUYA
OPEN 5AM-1AM
YOSHINOYA WEBSITE
Only two minutes walk from JR Ebisu Station is yakiniku & teppanyaki restaurant Kintan. This restaurant is family friendly. The entire restaurant is non-smoking and they accept most major credit cards. They do not have high chairs but they can offer families with small children sofa style/booth seating. For lunch I would budget around 2000 yen per adult but dinner is more expensive at more like 9000 yen per adult. They do charge a 5% service fee.
This restaurant does accept reservations. If your kids aren’t great at being quiet or sitting still you can also request one of their two private rooms (called “koshitsu” in Japanese) for 4-6 people for an additional cost. Kintan do have an English menu. Lunch is so reasonably priced but this place feels fancy inside.
*There is another restaurant called Kintan Steak in Ebisu. Be sure to not get the wrong restaurant.
EBISU YAKINIKU KINTAN
渋谷区恵比寿1-10-3 トラストリンク恵比寿ビル 1F～2F
GROUND FLOOR & FIRST FLOOR, TRUSTLINK BUILDING, 1-10-2 EBISU, SHIBUYA
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-3PM (LAST ORDER 2:30PM)
OPEN WEEKDAYS FOR DINNER 5PM-11PM (LAST ORDER 10PM)
OPEN WEEKENDS FOR DINNER 4PM-11PM (LAST ORDER 10PM)
CLOSED THE NEW YEARS HOLIDAYS
For ramen in the Ebisu station area, I recommend Afuri.
They do accept major credit cards. The restaurant is only bar stool type seating so would be tricky with toddlers.
Please note that this store does not accept cash.
They have vegetarian options.
AFURI RAMEN
渋谷区恵比寿1-1-7 117ビル 1F
OPEN EVERYDAY OF THE YEAR 11AM-5AM
AFURI RAMEN
Or if you’re craving family-friendly Italian, I recommend going to Knock Cucina for lunch or dinner. It is 3 mins walk from Ebisu Station.
For lunch I would budget around 1500 yen per adult and more like 5000 yen at dinner time. This restaurant accepts most major credit cards -and is completely cashless.
Please note that there is a service charge at dinner time of 500 yen per person.
This restaurant has a kids menu and a vegetarian menu. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
KNOCK CUCINA BUONA ITALIANA, EBISU
渋谷区恵比寿南1-17-17 Time Zone テラスビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR, TIMEZONE TERRACE BUILDING, 1-17-17 EBISU-MINAMI, SHIBUYA
OPEN 11AM-11PM
CLOSED WEDNESDAYS
Although it is a bit of a hike from the station ( a good 15 mins on foot) Ebisu Garden Place often has a beer garden on weekends in the warmer months with a bit¥g green (fake) grass area for kids to play. (Its right in the middle of the Garden Place complex).
And, during the day, you can go up to the top of the tower (on the restaurant floors) and get a free look at the city.
My favourite family-friendly restaurants (particularly at dinner time) are the kind that don’t feel too family friendly. This one ticks the box for me! Kichiri has such yummy food and a grown up vibe but it is also good for kids. Even small babies in fact as staff will organize a seat with a large cushion backing so babies could even get in some “tummy-time” while you eat!
Kichiri is a chain of restaurants so, if you’re a fan, you can keep an eye out for them all over Japan. I would call the food ‘Japanese fusion’. The menu is in English and it’s open until 2am (last orders at 1am). The restaurant’s interior is minimal, chic and futuristic. I love it!
I recommend making a booking (especially if there are more than 2 of you.) Once you enter the restaurant, shoes go in a locker and you hang on to your key….
then you’ll be shown to your table.
The tables are all floor level but the place where you put your legs (below the knee) is cut out – so your body is still making a “sitting in a chair”- shape.
After you’ve placed your order, your waiter will bring you an “otoshi” which is a tiny appetizer of the day. It’s probably best to think of this as a compulsory “table charge.” (This is standard practice in Japanese Izakaya Pubs)
It looks quite fancy inside but I think it’s pretty reasonable. With drinks and ordering a few dishes each , I’d probably budget for 4000 yen per person? (way less for children, of course) There are also course menu options. There are other Kichiri’s all over Tokyo. For example: Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ginza & Shibuya.
My favourite dish BY FAR is the fried corn. The picture doesn’t do it justice. It’s just so hard to not order another serving!
KICHIRI EBISU
渋谷区恵比寿1-8-12キュープラザ恵比寿6F
6th FLOOR, Q PLAZA EBISU BUILDING, 1-8-12 EBISU, SHIBUYA
OPEN: EVERYDAY
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11AM-3PM
OPEN FOR DINNER: 5PM-2AM
WEBSITE
If you’re in the Ebisu Garden Place side of the area, there is another park with a climbing/slidey piece of equipment (just across the road, next to the fire station. )
The equipment requires climbing so it’s a bit of a tricky one for my overly adventurous 2. 5 year old …but I give him a leg up (and some strict “no flying attempts” guidelines ) and we’re all good. My 4 year old thought it was particularly fun.
It’s just a small park but there is quite a bit of flat run-around space for wriggly little legs.
There is a public toilet block but no change table.
KAGEOKA PARK
4-19-21 EBISU, SHIBUYA
渋谷区恵比寿4-19-21
Just near this park (3 minutes walk to be exact) is M House.
This, mostly, Italian restaurant is kid-friendly and, except for the terrace seating, is smoke-free.
They are famous for their french toast at brunch but their dinner menu is also delicious. Their website says their dresscode is casual but I’d say smart casual (Japanese people don’t really do casual. )
Their entire menu is on their website in English and Japanese.
Photo is courtesy of the M House website.
M HOUSE
渋谷区恵比寿4-23-13
4-23-13 EBISU, SHIBUYA
OPEN FOR BRUNCH (WEEKDAYS) 10AM-3:30PM , (WEEKENDS) 9AM-6PM
OPEN FOR DINNER 6PM-11:30PM
If you would like to try Omakase Sushi Menu that also allows children, I recommend jumping on public transport or a cab for 10 mins (approx 1500 yen by cab) to Sushi Asahi in Gotanda. Sushi Asahi, Gotanda
Sushi Asahi welcomes families. Omakase course are either side of 15,000 yen and children will also need to order a course (lunch courses are more liken 5000-8000 yen though.) They accept most major credit cards. There are 6 seats at the counter and 24 table seats. Sushi Asahi is 3 mins walk from the East Exit of Gotanda Station. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. For adults, this is an excellent place to try a sushi and sake pairing menu. Reservations can be made via table check (deposit required.) If dining here with children isn’t an option for you, check out the Sushi Asahi incredible INCREDIBLE takeout sushi options here (can also be ordered by tablecheck (easisest if you’re clicking through on their site though with the help of a Japanese speaker.)
SUSHI ASAHI, GOTANDA
品川区東五反田1-11-8 大阪屋ビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR, OSAKAYA BUILDING, 1-11-8 HIGASHI-GOTANDA, SHINAGAWA
OPEN WEEKDAYS FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-2PM
OPEN EVERYDAY 4:30PM-11:30PM
See here for my full list of family-friendly omakase options for families in Japan.
Please see the MamaPapa Map App for even more changing and feeding spots. That app is amazing!
I like to use these changing & feeding facilities in this area:
- Atre Ebisu Department Store, West Wing, Baby Room ( change tables, breastfeeding rooms, boiled water
- Atre Ebisu Department Store, West Side, 3rd Floor (change tables, breastfeeding rooms, boiled water)
- Tokyo Photography Museum, 2nd & 4th Floors, Disabled Restrooms (change table)
- The Westin Hotel, Ground Floor (change table)
- Kichiri Restaurant, 6th Floor (breastfeeding room, change tables)If you need more baby feeding and changing places, I recommend downloading the MamaPapaBaby app.
If you are travelling to Japan as a tourist and want to know which areas I recommend to stay with kids – please see my post here.
