[Latest 2025] 10 Recommended “Cheap and Delicious!” Izakayas in Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa, a neighborhood known for its vintage shops and youth culture, is home to many “cheap and delicious izakayas.”

It’s a place where you can drink with friends, chat about dreams until morning… and that’s the charm of Shimokitazawa, where hearts can be open.

However, with nearly 280 izakayas in Shimokitazawa (as of 2019), it can be difficult to decide which ones are truly cheap and delicious.

But, by reading this article to the end, you’ll discover the best izakayas that offer great value and taste. There are also many spots perfect for dates, so be sure to check them out and have a wonderful time.

Please note that the prices listed are accurate at the time of writing.

Shimokita Sakaba Koidorobou

A shop with great horse meat and mentaiko (spicy pollack roe)! It features photogenic decor

Located just 1 minute from Shimokitazawa Station, this izakaya is easy to access!

This izakaya specializes in horse meat and mentaiko and is known for its photogenic interior.

The author’s recommended dish is the “Rare Fried Horse Meat.”

The inside is rare, and the outside is crispy – a new sensation in horse meat cuisine.

Additionally, the “Mentaiko Cream Udon” made with mentaiko from Fukuya, a renowned shop in Fukuoka, is also exquisite!

The alcoholic menu includes standard options like “Dewar’s Highball” (495 yen) and “Draft Beer Black Label” (550 yen). However, the weekday-only all-you-can-drink course (for women) at 550 yen is a nice bonus.

This is an ideal place for couples, especially for girls’ night out!

Shimokitazawa Zokkon

A place with terrace seating, smoking allowed, and a 2.5-hour all-you-can-drink for 999 yen!

You can drink cheaply at this place with a “terrace seating” and “smoking allowed” policy, making it convenient!

The cozy and stylish interior features wooden decor, including tatami seating.

For food, the “Aburi Shimesaba” (seared mackerel) and “Karaage” (fried chicken) are great, with consistently high quality that guarantees a satisfying meal.

The author’s recommended dish is the “Bacon with Saikyo Miso Grill,” which combines the flavors of bacon and Saikyo miso perfectly!

Their 2.5-hour all-you-can-drink course for 999 yen (1,200 yen on weekends and holidays) is a great deal for those who want to drink heavily.

Although the prices are affordable, the stylish Shimokitazawa ambiance makes it a great place to chat and enjoy a drink with friends, whether it’s discussing dreams or goals until morning.

Sake to Meshi Iida

An all-around izakaya with a variety of dishes that pair perfectly with alcohol

Founded in 2008, this popular shop specializing in teppanyaki always has a crowd.

The interior has a bright and warm wood decor, making it suitable for both dates and group drinking sessions.

The main focus is on teppanyaki, but they also offer a wide range of dishes that go well with alcohol, making it a great all-round izakaya.

The menu is diverse, making it perfect for those who want to try everything.

Kaminariya

An old-established izakaya specializing in fresh vegetables and Japanese sake

Located in the South Exit shopping street of Shimokitazawa, this izakaya stands out with its fresh vegetables displayed outside.

The shop is especially known for its wide selection of Japanese sake. The sake lineup changes with the seasons, so it’s a haven for sake lovers!

They also focus on vegetable dishes, making it great for those who love veggies.

While izakayas often have a fried food-heavy menu, at this place, you can enjoy “fresh vegetables and Japanese sake” in a refreshing way.

Other recommended dishes include “Grilled Oysters” and “Raw Oysters.”

The lively atmosphere makes it a perfect place to enjoy drinks in a fun mood.

Hakata Sumibiyaki Torio

Taste authentic Hakata cuisine in Shimokitazawa

Here, you can enjoy authentic Hakata cuisine without leaving Shimokitazawa. The shop’s interior exudes a calm atmosphere, making it a great place to relax and enjoy drinks.

With a wide selection of Japanese sake, shochu, and wine, it’s a haven for drinkers!

One of the author’s recommended dishes is the “Motsunabe” (beef tripe hotpot), which comes in two flavors: soy sauce-based or miso-based, using traditional flavors from Kyushu.

They also offer a variety of Kyushu-inspired dishes like horse sashimi and yakitori, so you’ll never run out of great snacks to pair with your drinks.

This izakaya offers great food and an enjoyable atmosphere, so be sure to visit!

Shimokitazawakko Izakaya Toriton-kun

A yakitori and smoked food shop. The “smoked asparagus” is exceptional!

This shop is known for its relaxed, hidden atmosphere, specializing in “yakitori & smoked food.”

What sets this shop apart is that it uses fresh chicken meat delivered every morning from a poultry farm.

Additionally, there is a smoking room inside the restaurant, and when you peek inside, you can see the ingredients being smoked, which whets your appetite.

A recommended menu item is the “smoked asparagus.”

The combination of the smoky wood fragrance and the flavor of the asparagus is perfectly balanced, which really stimulates the appetite.

Of course, other smoked items are also superb.

The prices for both food and alcohol are reasonable, and this shop is loved by a wide range of customers, from young people to older adults.

For example, you can order a highball starting at 429 yen.

This shop stays open until the early morning, making it a great spot for those who want to drink until dawn or those who missed the last train.

Goen Shimokitazawa Store

The first drink for just “5 yen”? This is the place if you want an excellent cost-performance for drinking

If you want to drink cheaply in Shimokitazawa, this is the place to go!

This izakaya offers incredible prices, especially during the weekend, where the first drink costs just 5 yen.

The prices and atmosphere perfectly capture the essence of Shimokitazawa.

As for the food, the writer’s recommendation is the beef tongue sashimi. Being able to eat raw meat is always a nice perk.

Also, dishes like the “Yanakano ginger pork roll,” where the spiciness and aroma of ginger enhance the deliciousness of pork, and the “Aosa deep-fried tofu,” where the saltiness of Aosa seaweed perfectly complements the tofu, are must-try menu items!

With cheerful and energetic staff, this lively shop is perfect for those who want to have a fun time drinking. The fact that they stay open until the early morning is another great feature.

Chinese Izakaya Isshin

A Chinese izakaya where you can enjoy an all-you-can-drink course starting at ¥2,500

Located just 115 meters from Shimokitazawa Station, this izakaya serves primarily Chinese food.

During the day, it also offers lunch menus, so it’s very popular as a regular Chinese restaurant too.

The highlight of this shop is their super-sized, cost-effective fried chicken.

As always, it’s best to enjoy it with a highball or lemon sour!

The all-you-can-drink course starts at ¥2,500, which is another reason this shop is so popular.

The shop also has private rooms that can accommodate up to 16 people, making it ideal for large gatherings.

It’s perfect for those who want to enjoy Chinese drinks at a great value.

Shirubee Shimokitazawa Store

A place where you can enjoy a variety of drinks. Recommended menu: “Bluefin Tuna Brain Nigiri”!

This izakaya is distinguished by the large white curtain with the character “汁(shiru)” (soup) written on it.

The great thing about this place is that it offers a wide range of alcoholic beverages, including sake, shochu, and awamori, so you can pick whatever suits your mood that day.

As for the food, the writer’s recommendation is the “Bluefin Tuna Brain Nigiri,” made with the brain part of tuna.

When you put the brain nigiri in your mouth, the rich, fatty umami spreads. It’s surprising to get such freshness and deliciousness in a sushi shop that’s not even a traditional sushi restaurant!

Also, their “Radish Oden Assortment,” where the radishes are arranged like a tower, is a popular menu item.

Although the budget is ¥4,000 – ¥4,999, which is a bit higher than other shops listed here, this is a well-loved and popular izakaya in Shimokitazawa.

If you want to treat yourself to something a little more luxurious, it’s worth checking out.

Teruya

Semi-private rooms and completely private rooms available!

A great izakaya near Shimokitazawa Station with a blue sign.

The shop has a warm, wood-based, traditional Japanese interior. There are semi-private rooms separated by noren (curtains) and fully private rooms, making it ideal for dates.

The writer’s recommended dish is “Japanese-style leek pizza.”

The leeks have a unique fragrance and crispy texture, and when they are grilled, their flavor is enhanced.

Other options like “Fried Eggplant with Daikon” make for excellent drinking snacks.

This lively shop is perfect for drinking in a fun, upbeat atmosphere, or for booking a private room for a date with a partner.

Summary

Here you go, 10 truly affordable and delicious izakayas in Shimokitazawa have been introduced.

Have you found the place you’re looking for?

These are all excellent, truly tasty restaurants, so be sure to enjoy them to the fullest!