Best Italian Restaurant in Tokyo – Unforgettable Italian Night at Chanfe Tokyo in Ueno

Chanfe Tokyo

Tokyo, Ueno – a hidden Italian restaurant “Chanfe Tokyo” where you can enjoy a full dinner course.

Handmade fresh pasta and Napa wine come together for a grown-up Tokyo Italian experience.

Many guests describe Chanfe Tokyo as one of the best Italian restaurants in Tokyo.

Many of our international guests find us on their last night in Tokyo, after several days of enjoying sushi, ramen, yakitori and all kinds of Japanese food.

They search for “Italian restaurant in Tokyo” and end up at Chanfe Tokyo — and very often they tell us, “This was the best dinner we had in Japan.”

Why does a small Italian restaurant in Ueno leave such a strong impression at the end of their trip? The reason is…

Chanfe Tokyo - Modern Italian Restaurant

SNS sensation and a rising star in Tokyo’s dining scene, have you heard of Chanfe Tokyo, the Italian restaurant that attracts guests from all over Japan and around the world?

Chanfe Tokyo has become a hot topic as a restaurant filled with the passion of its owner, Sean, who has quickly become a well-known figure in the food and beverage industry.

A glass of wine in hand, handmade pasta in front of you.
Easy to drop by after work, yet refined enough for a special occasion – Chanfe Tokyo is your grown-up Italian restaurant in Ueno, Tokyo.

Chanfe Tokyo - Owner / Sean Sumlin

Sean built and ran several successful restaurants in Los Angeles, creating a beloved spot where Hollywood stars such as Natalie Portman, Nicolas Cage, and Chris Pine, and many more celebrities chose to dine.

His deep experience and insight into the restaurant business were distilled into a business book that reached #2 in Amazon’s business category.

He is highly regarded not only as a restaurant owner, but also as a leader in the Japanese hospitality industry.

In Tokyo, where over 800 Italian restaurants compete for attention, Chanfe Tokyo quickly stood out after opening.

The restaurant ranked in the Top 10 Italian Restaurants on the major reservation site “Ikkyu”, and achieved an impressive 4.8 rating on Google Reviews.

in just three years, it has become a place that wins the hearts of many guests.

If you haven’t heard of Chanfe Tokyo yet, this article will guide you through how to enjoy this special restaurant to the fullest.

Napa Wine at Chanfe Tokyo

A restaurant in Ueno where you can experience a truly “special” night

Tokyo, Ueno.

A few minutes away from the busy izakaya streets and crowded stations, in a quiet corner of Yushima, a small Italian restaurant quietly stands.

Night after night, in its calm and refined space, guests celebrate anniversaries, dates, and important moments with someone special.

That is Chanfe Tokyo.

Handmade fresh pasta is the star of the course, paired with carefully selected Napa wines –a seasonal pasta dinner that could only exist in Ueno at Chanfe Tokyo.

Best Italian Dinner in Tokyo – Handmade Pasta at Chanfe Tokyo

「When you search for “Ueno Italian” or “Tokyo Italian”, you may already have seen some photos or reviews of Chanfe Tokyo.

But you might still wonder:

• What kind of dishes actually come out?

• Is the atmosphere casual or formal?

• Is it really a safe choice for a date or anniversary?

It’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and a little nervousness when you visit a restaurant for the first time.

In this article, we’ll introduce what kind of Italian restaurant Chanfe Tokyo is,
and what kind of evening you can expect here – all from the perspective of a first-time guest.

By the end, we hope you’ll find yourself thinking:

“Our next anniversary should be here.”
“For our next date night, let’s just book Chanfe Tokyo.”

Candlelight on the counter, a calm atmosphere, and refined dishes – our dinner course creates a quiet, almost unreal sense of escape from everyday busy Tokyo.

Romantic Anniversary Dinner in Tokyo – Candlelit Italian at Chanfe Tokyo

1. A “bar-like” Italian restaurant you’ll discover in Ueno

Chanfe Tokyo is located between Ueno (Taito-ku) and Yushima (Bunkyo-ku).

Just a short walk from tourist spots like Ueno Park and Ameyoko, it sits in what can only be called a “grown-up hideaway” area.

Napa wine and handmade pasta paired together in Ueno – a favorite Tokyo dinner course among wine lovers.

Chanfe Tokyo - Counter Seats

Open the door, and the first thing you see is a clean white bar counter.

Wine bottles and cocktail glasses line the shelves, and for a moment, you might think, “Is this a bar?”

On the counter, white plates and cutlery are neatly set, and from the kitchen you can hear the sound of sauce simmering and fresh pasta boiling, along with the aroma of butter, herbs, and stock.

The biggest charm of Chanfe Tokyo is that it gives you “the relaxed comfort of a bar” and “the quality of a serious restaurant” at the same time.

• You want a proper dinner,

• but you’re not in the mood for a stiff French restaurant or a place with strict dress codes…

For people like that, Chanfe Tokyo is the perfect spot:

not too casual, not too formal – a balanced, modern Italian restaurant in Tokyo.

Soft, warm lighting and just the right amount of intimacy.
The interior is perfect for dates and anniversaries – if you’re searching for a “hidden Italian in Tokyo”, Chanfe Tokyo in Ueno is a strong candidate.

Chanfe Tokyo Bar Counter

2. Why Chef Takeya’s “fresh pasta and seasonal course” is so loved

The person behind every dish at Chanfe Tokyo is our head chef, Takeya.

Chef Takeya – Executive Chef at Chanfe Tokyo

Seasonal course dishes crafted by Chef Takeya – experience true Italian cuisine and wine pairing in Ueno, Tokyo.

He began his career as a part-time worker at Mikuni Yokohama, spent five years at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo’s “Pigneto”, and also trained at Michelin-starred “Est”.

Today, he oversees all of the cuisine at Chanfe Tokyo, specializing in fresh pasta, course menus, and creative seasonal dishes – a chef with both technique and a strong sense of taste.

Tokyo, Ueno – a quiet neighborhood Italian restaurant where you can enjoy a full course.
A new standard for modern Tokyo Italian.

Genovese Pasta made Shiso & Pistachio with Hokkaido Scallops

◆ The world of pasta at Chanfe Tokyo – always chasing “Best Pasta in Tokyo”

Hand Made Pasta by Chef Takeya

Our signature course always includes at least one fresh pasta dish.

Best known as the plate that guests often say they “came back for,” this pasta is our pride and joy.

A dish that aims for nothing less than “best pasta in Tokyo.”

At Chanfe Tokyo, fresh pasta is something we truly want you to experience.

Each plate is cooked to order, with the shape and texture of the pasta matched carefully to the sauce and ingredients.

Fresh Pasta with Japanese Wagyu Bolognese

For example:

• Herb-driven genovese pasta, where the fragrance of basil and shiso rises with the steam

• Slow-cooked Wagyu Bolognese and lasagna, rich and deeply comforting

• Adult carbonara, where egg yolk and cheese create a luxurious, savory creaminess

• Handmade gnocchi made only with naturally sweet potatoes, soft yet chewy

Our seasonal course menu changes throughout the year, so you’ll find something new to enjoy each time you visit.

Wagyu Lasagna at Chanfe Tokyo

Each pasta dish is designed from the combination of ingredients first, then expressed in the most delicious form and shape.

If you’re thinking,

“I want truly good pasta in Tokyo, not just something ‘fine’.”

we can confidently say that the fresh pasta at Chanfe Tokyo is something you should absolutely try.

A warm, elegant atmosphere that’s not too casual but still relaxed – a perfect Italian course dinner for a first date in Ueno, Tokyo.

◆ Tasting a “seasonal story” through the course

For anniversaries and dates, our seasonal course menu is the most popular choice.

Fresh Onion Soup at Chanfe Tokyo

From the first bite of the appetizer to the final spoonful of dessert, you can enjoy the flavors and moods of the season in a balanced way.

Each dish is thoughtfully composed, highlighting the natural character of the ingredients while paying close attention to visual presentation and aroma.

We also offer wine and drink pairings tailored to the course, creating a dining experience that feels cohesive and memorable.

Pumpkin Soup - Chanfe Tokyo

It’s a course perfect for special days and meals with people who are important to you.

One of the most beautiful autumn dishes in our seasonal course – a pumpkin soup often described as “Michelin-level” by our guests.

3. The world of Napa wine and cocktails, curated by owner Sean Sumlin

There’s another main character you can’t forget when you talk about Chanfe Tokyo: our owner, Sean Sumlin.

He ran a highly successful restaurant in Los Angeles, where Hollywood actors regularly came to dine.

Pink Alexander – the famous pink cocktail from Chanfe Tokyo

He has traveled to Napa Valley many times, personally selecting wines directly at the wineries, and his approach to cocktails and wine pairing has become a hot topic among guests from Japan and overseas.

If you love visiting famous cocktail bars in Tokyo, Chanfe Tokyo in Ueno is a spot you’ll want to add to your list – a night where wine and cocktails share the spotlight.

Thanks to this unique background, Chanfe Tokyo is not only an Italian restaurant – it is also a wine bar and cocktail bar at heart.

◆ If you love wine, you’ll want to try our Napa by the glass

In Japan, many Napa wines are only available by the bottle, and some labels are rarely seen at all.

At Chanfe Tokyo, Sean focuses on wines he has personally selected in Napa, and offers a lineup that can be enjoyed by the glass.

Napa wines and creative cocktails line our bar – a grown-up spot in Ueno where you can enjoy both food and drinks.

Curated Californian & Napa Wines at Chanfe Tokyo

Even if you say, “I don’t know much about wine, I just want something delicious.” that’s more than enough.

We’ll ask about your preferences and what you’re eating that night, and suggest something in a relaxed, friendly conversation.

◆ Bar-level cocktails – with the Espresso Martini as a signature

Sean is also known for his cocktails, especially the pink drink that has taken over SNS: Pink Alexander, nicknamed the “Chanfe Milkshake.”

Pink Alexander – the famous pink cocktail from Chanfe Tokyo

Pink Alexander – the famous pink cocktail from Chanfe Tokyo

Pink Alexander – the famous pink cocktail from Chanfe Tokyo

In Tokyo, there are many famous cocktail bars, but when you search “Tokyo cocktail” on image search, this iconic pink drink from Sean and Chanfe Tokyo fills the screen.

Seasonal fruit cocktails and original creations have made Chanfe Tokyo a favorite cocktail spot in Ueno for dates, girls’ nights, and after-dinner drinks.

Gentle music, moody lighting, and the glow of a pink cocktail on the white counter – even though we’re in Ueno, the atmosphere feels like a top-tier Tokyo cocktail bar.

Espresso Martini - Chanfe Tokyo Original Recipe

Another of Sean’s famous cocktails is his Espresso Martini made with Vietnamese coffee.

Many guests enjoy it together with dessert after their course, and its bar-level quality and flavor captivate coffee and cocktail lovers alike.

if you want a serious drink in Ueno but still enjoy restaurant-quality food,
Chanfe Tokyo is a perfect choice.

Being able to enjoy both a serious Italian course and photogenic, high-level cocktails in one place is what makes Chanfe Tokyo truly rare in Tokyo.

• Enjoy a calm, wine-paired dinner

• Then stay a little longer and have “one more cocktail” to finish the night

That best-of-both-worlds feeling – restaurant × bar – is a major strength of Chanfe Tokyo.

4. For what kind of occasions is Chanfe Tokyo perfect?

◆ Anniversaries & birthdays

The most common reasons people choose Chanfe Tokyo are anniversaries and birthdays.

A full course, a dessert crafted by our pâtissier, and a custom message plate made by our in-house “plate artist” help you create a truly memorable surprise.

• Wedding anniversaries or romantic dates

• Birthday celebrations with a close friend

Cute anniversary plates that create the perfect surprise moment.

If you’re looking for a special Italian course in Ueno, Chanfe Tokyo is an ideal choice.

Anniversary Plate for Birthdays

If you’re not looking for “just another Italian,” but a Tokyo Italian restaurant where you can confidently say,

“I’m so glad I chose this place,”

then Chanfe Tokyo is absolutely for you.

◆ Dates & girls’ nights

When you think “dinner in Ueno,” you may picture izakayas or chain restaurants.

Chanfe Tokyo gently breaks that “too casual Ueno” image with a calm, grown-up space.

Cute, shareable cocktails and beautifully plated Italian dishes – many guests come in groups of women just to take photos and enjoy the atmosphere.

SNS buzz - Chanfe Tokyo

You can start light with à la carte dishes and a glass of wine, then next time move up to a full course for a more structured dinner.

That’s why Chanfe Tokyo often becomes a “second and third visit date spot” for many couples.

It’s also great for girls’ nights – surrounding a table with fresh pasta, wine, and photogenic cocktails, you can relax and talk as long as you like.

◆ A course by a Michelin-trained chef

Chef Takeya in action

In a quiet interior, you can enjoy a course created by a chef with experience in Michelin-starred restaurants.

If you’re searching for a special Italian dinner in Tokyo, this is a place worth knowing.

With multiple course options available, Chanfe Tokyo is also recommended for self-described food lovers who value technique, ingredients, and presentation.

The menu is left in the hands of our skilled chef, who prepares seasonal dishes while Sean offers wine pairings or original cocktails.

Forget about time and let yourself be carried by the flow of the evening.

Rosy Sea Bass with white tomato sauce

You don’t have to go all the way to Ginza to enjoy high-quality Italian courses in Tokyo.

Chanfe Tokyo’s course menus make it possible to experience a “destination-worthy” Italian restaurant right here in Ueno & Yushima.

Chef Takeya works with seasonal ingredients sourced from all over Japan,
building dishes that are both satisfying and emotionally resonant.

With a background at Mikuni Yokohama, Four Seasons Tokyo “Pigneto”,
and Michelin-starred restaurants, his course structure rivals famous Ginza Italians – yet the atmosphere remains relaxed and unpretentious.

A simple plate with Michelin-class technique behind it – Chanfe Tokyo offers a new style of modern Italian in Tokyo.

Tiger Prawn Tomato Bisque Risotto

From appetizers to mains to dessert, our course is designed as a flowing, memorable experience within Tokyo Italian dining.

Fresh pasta has recently become our biggest signature – our chef is obsessed with pursuing “just pure deliciousness.”

For main dishes, seasonal fish such as tilefish or nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) are paired with Napa and Italian wines chosen by Sean, creating truly blissful pairings.

A course worthy of anniversaries – a Michelin-level Italian dinner for those who want a truly special night in Tokyo.

Salmon with Chrysanthemum

If you’re looking for course dinners for anniversaries, dates, or birthdays
at an Italian restaurant in Ueno,

we’d love for your next special night to be at Chanfe Tokyo in Ueno & Yushima –
a place where fresh pasta, wine, and a grown-up atmosphere come together to create a truly unforgettable Italian course experience.

You can feel the difference in the first cut – slow-cooked beef tongue steak with perfect doneness, showcasing Michelin-level technique in our main dishes.

Slow-cooked beef tongue steak with perfect doneness

Of course, Chanfe Tokyo is also a wonderful choice when you simply want to treat yourself.

Taking time to enjoy a full course from appetizers onward can make you feel as if you’ve traveled somewhere far away, even though you’re still in Tokyo.

5. First time at Chanfe Tokyo – how to enjoy your visit

Finally, here’s a simple model plan for those visiting Chanfe Tokyo for the first time.

① Book your seat online

Popular days fill up quickly, so for anniversaries and weekends, we strongly recommend booking in advance.

We do not accept reservations by phone – online booking only.

If you’d like an anniversary plate, please write something in the notes section such as:

“It’s our wedding anniversary.”
“It’s a birthday. Her name is Misaki.”

Just that small note helps us imagine the flow of your evening and prepare something special for you.

② Make smart use of the three reservation times

　・17:30–18:00
A 2-hour slot ideal for early dinner before going out elsewhere.

• 20:00~
  Perfect if you want to relax without watching the clock –
  enjoy a full dinner and wine slowly with someone important.

• 22:00~
  No full course is served at this time,
  so it’s ideal if you just want to enjoy our famous cocktails
  and desserts made by our pâtissier.

Regulars at Chanfe Tokyo use these different times in many flexible ways depending on their schedule.

Taking your time through the course from the first appetizer often makes you feel as though you’ve slipped away to a different city, or even another country.

③ Finish with cocktails and dessert

To close your evening, we recommend:

• A dessert created by our pâtissier

• plus one of our famous cocktails,

or both, if you’d like a truly luxurious finish.

Rich Matcha Dessert at Chanfe Tokyo

In the same interior, the atmosphere changes subtly between “dinner time” and “bar time,” and enjoying that shift is one of the unique charms of Chanfe Tokyo.

6. “The most special night in Tokyo” – in Ueno & Yushima

There are countless Italian restaurants in Tokyo.

Among them, Chanfe Tokyo has become a small, hidden Italian restaurant aiming to be “the best restaurant” in its own way,
thanks to three pillars:

• Seasonal courses and fresh pasta created by Chef Takeya

• Napa wines and memorable cocktails selected and served by Sean

• And a space that combines the comfort of a bar with the quality of a restaurant

Premium wine pairing course curated in Napa, poured at our counter in Ueno –
if you’ve seen it on SNS, we hope you’ll experience it in person.

Premium Wine Pairing Course – Chanfe Tokyo

If right now you’re thinking:

• “I want a truly delicious Italian restaurant in the Ueno area.”

• “I don’t want to risk a failure on an important anniversary or date night.”

• “I want a grown-up dinner experience with wine and cocktails included.”

then please consider adding Chanfe Tokyo to your shortlist for the next special night.

Behind the door, we’re here, preparing to create a one-of-a-kind dinner experience just for you – and we’ll be waiting with a smile.

A message of gratitude on our 3rd anniversary

Chanfe Tokyo Third Anniversary.

“Chanfe Tokyo” has just celebrated its third anniversary.

To all the guests who have supported us, to our dedicated staff, and to everyone involved with the restaurant, we offer our deepest thanks.

As Sean’s first restaurant in Japan, Chanfe Tokyo began with a simple but powerful idea:

• Course menus that bring out the very best of seasonal ingredients

• Pairings with Napa wines and original cocktails

• A space that is both high-quality and genuinely comfortable

Above all, we wanted to create “a place guests want to come back to.”

Sean with Prisoner Wine Comapany

In three years, the restaurant has grown into a destination chosen for anniversaries, birthdays, and important life moments.

We’ve been able to welcome guests from all over Japan and overseas, and thanks to the spread of SNS, Chanfe Tokyo has become a restaurant loved by many.

We are grateful beyond words to have reached this three-year milestone.

Looking ahead, we plan to continue offering seasonal course menus, special dishes, and limited events, as well as new drink creations.

We’re also looking toward future expansion and new projects, so that even more guests can experience the “memorable moments” that only Chanfe Tokyo can create.

Sean believes that a restaurant is truly complete only when both the people working there and the guests at the table are smiling together.

Sean - Always having fun with the guests

Reaching our third anniversary is entirely thanks to your support.

We will continue to work with smiles today, tomorrow, and in the years to come, and we hope to keep making as many guests smile as possible.

From the bottom of our hearts –

Thank you.