La Cucina

We reserved a table at La Cucina for a pre‑Christmas dinner, during a season when it’s often tricky to find European restaurants in Tokyo offering à la carte rather than set menus. It turned out to be the perfect choice. Stepping down from the bustling Shibuya streets into the restaurant’s basement... felt like entering another world. The cosy, cave‑like interior with terracotta‑toned earthen walls instantly transported us to the heart of Italy. The waiter’s charm, warmth, and quick wit only deepened that impression. The décor created a relaxed atmosphere, complemented by background music that enhanced the mood without ever overwhelming it. Service was flawless and felt very personal, and we especially enjoyed chatting with the Bangladeshi waiter whose dry humour had us laughing throughout the evening. The food was authentically Italian and simply outstanding. Yet the highlight was the dessert: the finest Crema Catalana I’ve ever tasted – silky, light, and so irresistible that I wished for another serving. We dine at Italian restaurants frequently, but nowhere have we felt as genuinely welcomed as at La Cucina. The experience was less like dining out and more like being among friends or family.

Visited December 2025

They are single owners , nothing too expensive I deco but La Cucina still have the best collection of Italian wines.If U do not want to pay a fair price , this is not the place for u. Look at the world , what are the results of paying cheap prices ???. The principles for dinning out are , consider y...r time saved ???consider not shopping for cooking ingredients,consider having a night or 3 in a month , that u can feel at home, La Cucina of the ishii is THE PLACE.Their long term service staff , Koshuro is still with them. I have been many eating places, faces keep on changing...................some young and lack of hospitality. Enjoy good hearted small owners with kind hearts.

Visited August 2017

Food was so so but wines were very drinkable without famous fancy names. Dinner was very relaxed and enjoyable until desserts with dessert wines and grappa. The fresh camomile tea was really good. Service were very homely and owners knows their Italian wines really well. I am the kind of customer ...that belive in quality = price . This one of those kind of trattori/restuarants type of places.

Visited December 2011