Megriva

Should You Book Megriva?

Getting a table at Megriva is harder than the booking status implies. The restaurant operates on a referral system, meaning you need an introduction from an existing guest to even make a reservation — and as of the latest Tabelog data, no new reservations are being accepted. If you do have access, book as far in advance as possible. At a 10-seat counter in Naka Meguro, there is no margin for last-minute entries. The effort is worth it: Megriva holds a Tabelog Score of 4.31, won The Tabelog Award 2026 Silver, and has been selected for the Tabelog Italian TOKYO "Tabelog 100" in both 2023 and 2025. It also ranks #222 on Opinionated About Dining's Leading Restaurants in Japan for 2025, up from #245 in 2024 — a consistent upward trajectory.

What Megriva Is

Megriva is a 10-seat Italian restaurant in Kamimeguro, a few hundred metres from Naka Meguro Station, run by chef Katsuaki Yoshida. At that scale, this is counter-dining with no private rooms, no walk-in option, and a format that functions more like an intimate chef's table than a restaurant floor. The no-smoking policy and wine-only drinks program reinforce that focus: this is a room built around food and the glass in front of you, not a broader bar experience.

The wine program at Megriva deserves particular attention for anyone approaching this as a food-and-wine occasion. A wine-only list at an Italian counter of this calibre in Tokyo typically signals a deliberate, curated selection rather than a comprehensive cellar , every bottle is chosen to work with the food. For the explorer-minded diner, that pairing coherence is part of the value. Actual list depth and specific labels are not in the public record, so if the wine selection matters to your decision, ask directly when making your referral-based booking inquiry. Payment is by credit card (VISA, JCB, AMEX); electronic money and QR codes are not accepted, so come prepared.

The price picture at Megriva requires some unpacking. The listed Tabelog budget is JPY 6,000–7,999 for dinner, but the review-based average spending sits at JPY 20,000–29,999 per person. The gap almost certainly reflects a set-menu or course format where the final bill, including wine, runs significantly higher than the base food price. Budget accordingly: plan for JPY 20,000–25,000 per head with wine as a realistic floor, not a ceiling. By Tokyo Italian standards at this award level, that is competitive , comparable to what you would spend at a decorated French counter in the same city.

Private use option being available is worth noting for small group bookings: if you can fill the 10-seat room, an exclusive hire may be possible. There are no private rooms within the space and no parking, so access by train (Naka Meguro is 304 metres away) is the practical approach. Dress code is not specified, but a Tabelog Silver winner operating on a referral system in Naka Meguro skews smart-casual to smart. Overdressing is never a problem; showing up in sportswear is a risk.

Ratings & Recognition

• Tabelog Score: 4.31
• The Tabelog Award 2026 , Silver
• Tabelog Italian TOKYO "Tabelog 100" , 2023 & 2025
• Opinionated About Dining Leading Restaurants in Japan , #222 (2025), #245 (2024), Highly Recommended (2023)
• Google Rating: 4.6 (69 reviews)

Booking & Practical Details

Megriva is reservation-only with a referral system in place. No new reservations are currently being accepted through standard channels. If you have a referral, contact the restaurant directly by phone (+81-3-6416-1344) , there is no official website. Allow as much lead time as possible given the 10-seat format and high demand implied by the award profile. The full room can be booked for private use, which may offer a route in for group occasions. Credit cards only; no electronic payment or QR codes.

How It Compares

Explore More in Tokyo and Beyond

For Italian in Tokyo, Aroma Fresca and PRISMA are the most prominent comparisons at the decorated end of the market. Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura Tokyo offers a higher-profile booking with international name recognition. For smaller, less-known Italian options, Principio and AlCeppo are worth considering. If you want Italian elsewhere in Japan, cenci in Kyoto is the sharpest peer comparison, and 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana in Hong Kong sets the regional benchmark. For broader Tokyo planning, our full Tokyo restaurants guide, Tokyo hotels guide, and Tokyo bars guide cover the full picture. Elsewhere in Japan, HAJIME in Osaka, Gion Sasaki in Kyoto, akordu in Nara, Goh in Fukuoka, 1000 in Yokohama, and 6 in Okinawa represent the strongest destinations by region. See also our Tokyo wineries guide and Tokyo experiences guide for broader trip planning.

FAQ

• Can I eat at the bar at Megriva? Megriva has 10 seats and no separate bar area. All dining is counter-based, so every seat is effectively a counter seat. There is no walk-in bar option , the referral-only reservation system applies to every seat in the room.
• What should I order at Megriva? Specific menu items are not in the public record, so a firm recommendation on individual dishes is not possible here. What the award profile suggests , Tabelog Silver, consistent Tabelog 100 selection, Opinionated About Dining Top 250 , is a focused Italian course menu driven by chef Katsuaki Yoshida's judgement. At a 10-seat counter of this type, the course is the format: expect to eat what the kitchen is cooking, paired with whatever wine the list offers that evening.
• What are alternatives to Megriva in Tokyo? For Italian at a comparable award level, Aroma Fresca is the most direct peer , more accessible by booking and with a longer track record. PRISMA skews more contemporary. If the referral barrier makes Megriva inaccessible, Principio and AlCeppo offer Italian at a lower booking hurdle. For a broader high-end Tokyo dinner, L'Effervescence (French) and Crony (innovative French) are in a similar price tier with more conventional booking routes.
• How far ahead should I book Megriva? The current Tabelog status shows no new reservations accepted through standard channels, which means the practical answer is: you need a referral first, and booking horizon is secondary to access. If you have a referral, treat it as a 4–8 week minimum given the 10-seat format and Tabelog Silver recognition. Do not assume a short booking window is available even with an introduction.
• What should a first-timer know about Megriva? Three things matter most. First, the referral system is not optional , you cannot book without an introduction from an existing guest. Second, the real spend per head is JPY 20,000–29,999 including wine, not the JPY 6,000–7,999 base figure. Third, this is a 10-seat counter with no private rooms and a wine-only drinks program, so the format is intimate and the experience is shaped by the kitchen's course structure. Come with flexibility on the menu and a credit card , VISA, JCB, or AMEX.
• What should I wear to Megriva? No dress code is formally stated, but smart-casual is the safe call. A Tabelog Silver winner operating at JPY 20,000+ per head on a referral-only basis in Naka Meguro is not a casual neighbourhood trattoria. Think smart trousers, a clean shirt or blouse , the kind of outfit you would wear to a serious French bistro. Avoid anything too casual; the setting and price point set a natural expectation.