Alternative
French in Shirogane, Tokyo, 11 min walk from Hiroo Station
Our analysis
- #109of 393 French restaurants in Tokyo
- ¥8,800least expensive lunch course; median ¥6,800
- 1×Tabelog 100
- Englishonline booking from abroad
Dinner ¥20,000–29,999Closed SundaysBook online: Pocket Concierge
All 24 photos, by dishes, the room and the entrance
Dishes 19
Inside 3
Entrance 2
In our ranking, Alternative is 109th of the 393 French restaurants in Tokyo. Its least expensive lunch course is ¥8,800 (on Tabelog), 29% above the ¥6,800 median of the 21 French restaurants in Tokyo ranked nearest to it. Its record: a listing without a star in the Michelin Guide 2026 and Tabelog 100 in 2025. From abroad it can be booked online in English on Pocket Concierge and OMAKASE; 185 of the 393 French restaurants in Tokyo can be. Good for a seat at the counter, a private room (for 4 or 6), and an anniversary (it prepares a celebration if asked when booking). Course prices that sources agree on: ¥16,500 on both Tabelog and its website; ¥25,000 on its website and ¥27,500 on Pocket Concierge, with tax and service.
How it compares
French restaurants in Shirogane with a dinner budget close to its own, nearest to it in our ranking.
| Restaurant | Rank in Tokyo | Dinner from | Lunch from | Booking | Awards | Walk | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alchimiste | #64 | ¥28,600 | ¥13,750 | Online in English (TableCheck) | ★ · Tabelog 100 2025 | 4 min, Shirokanedai | Wed |
| gentil H | #67 | ¥19,360 | ¥9,680 | Online in English (TableCheck) | Bronze 2020 · Tabelog 100 2025 | 3 min, Shirokanedai | Tue, Wed |
| Cirpas | #73 | budget ¥30,000–39,999 | ¥19,800 | Online in English (TableCheck) | Tabelog 100 2025 | 3 min, Shirokanedai | Tue, Wed |
| Requinquer | #74 | ¥18,260 | ¥9,460 | Online in English (TableCheck) | Tabelog 100 2025 | 3 min, Shirokanedai | Mon |
| L'allium | #75 | budget ¥20,000–29,999 | budget ¥10,000–14,999 | Online in English (Pocket Concierge) | Tabelog 100 2025 | 4 min, Shirokanedai | Mon |
| Alternative | #109 | budget ¥20,000–29,999 | ¥8,800 | Online in English (Pocket Concierge) | Tabelog 100 2025 | 11 min, Hiroo | Sun |
For international visitors
Easy to book from abroad
Takes bookings online in English and has a menu or staff in English.
| Menu | English |
|---|---|
| Staff | English |
| Payment | |
| Diet | Vegan, Vegetarian |
| Seating and facilities | Counter seats, Private rooms, Bring your own wine, Sommelier, Wheelchair accessible |
Notes to overseas guests
- Says it can serve guests in English.
How to book Alternative
- Book online in English on Pocket Concierge or OMAKASE, the booking services the restaurant uses.
- Call 050-5868-9397 (+81-50-5868-9397 from outside Japan). The restaurant says it has English-speaking staff.
- Cancellations: the restaurant charges a cancellation fee. Check the terms when you book.
- Anniversaries and birthdays: the restaurant prepares a celebration if you ask when you book (a dessert plate with your message, a cake or a surprise). More in Tokyo.
Courses and prices
As the restaurant lists them on Tabelog. Prices are per person.
Lunch Not Allowed for Posting Omakase Course – The Dragon Gate Course Managed by Chef Kawaguchi, Second in Charge
Lunch · 5 dishes · 2–8 guests
¥8,800
per person, tax incl., ≈$60
Cheapest
Dinner A La Carte
Dinner · 2 hr at the table · 1–6 guests
- Seasonal ingredients
¥12,000
per person, tax incl., ≈$80
¥3,200 more than the one above
Dinner Omakase Course: A 7-Dish Gourmet Experience with Ingredients of the Day
Dinner · 7 dishes · 2 hr at the table · 1–8 guests
¥16,500
per person, tax incl., ≈$110
¥4,500 more than the one above
Lunch Omakase Course ◆ A culinary experience of 6 exquisite dishes crafted with seasonal ingredients of the day
Lunch · 2–8 guests
- Seasonal ingredients
¥16,500
per person, tax incl., ≈$110
Lunch Saito Course - Innovative and Unprecedented Dishes by Chef Saito Stimulate the Senses.
Lunch · 8 dishes · 2–8 guests
¥25,300
per person, tax incl., ≈$170
¥8,800 more than the one above
Dinner Saito Course - Innovative and Unprecedented Dishes by Chef Saito Stimulate the Senses.
Dinner · 8 dishes · 2 hr at the table · 1–8 guests
- Seasonal ingredients
¥25,850
per person, tax incl., ≈$170
¥550 more than the one above
Soft-Shelled Turtle and Mushrooms UNDERGROUND - Limited from September 17 to October 31
Dinner · 8 dishes · 2 hr 30 min at the table · 1–6 guests
¥29,700
per person, tax incl., ≈$200
¥3,850 more than the one above
The food
Photos the restaurant posted on Tabelog.
Prices
| Dinner | ¥20,000–29,999 per person |
|---|---|
| Lunch | ¥10,000–14,999 per person |
| Diners report spending | ¥20,000–29,999 at dinner, ¥15,000–19,999 at lunch |
| Service charge | Service charge is 10%, while private rooms have a service charge of 13%. |
| Credit cards | |
| Electronic money | Not accepted |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12:00–15:00, 18:00–22:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 12:00–15:00, 18:00–22:00 |
| Wednesday | 12:00–15:00, 18:00–22:00 |
| Thursday | 12:00–15:00, 18:00–22:00 |
| Friday | 12:00–15:00, 18:00–22:00 |
| Saturday | 12:00–15:00, 18:00–22:00 |
| Sunday | Closed |
Seats and rooms
Inside
The dining room, in the restaurant's own photos.
| Seats | 23 |
|---|---|
| Private rooms | Yes, for 4 or 6 people |
| Private hire | Possible |
| Largest group | 23 people |
| Smoking | Non smoking |
| Children | Children are welcome at some times or seats; under-3s may be limited. Check when you book |
| Dress code | Casual smart recommended. |
| Setting | Hideout, Stylish space, Relaxing space, Spacious seating, Counter seating, Wheelchair accessible |
| Drinks | Sake (Nihonshu), Wine, Particular about wine |
| Services | Celebrations and surprises (Birthday plate), BYO drinks, Sommelier available, English menu |
| Opened | September 2021 |
Getting there
11 min walk (850 m) from Hiroo Station, Exit 1.
Also near: Shirokane-takanawa (Exit 3): 14 min · Shirokanedai (Exit 2): 14 min
- Leave Hiroo Station by Exit 1 and walk south-west for 20 m.
- Turn left at MUFG Bank onto Gaien Nishi Dori and walk 370 m.
- Turn left onto Meiji-dōri Avenue and walk 180 m.
- Turn right and walk 50 m.
- Bear left and walk 40 m.
- Turn right and walk 30 m.
- Bear right and walk 90 m.
- Bear left and walk 40 m.
Alternative is on your left.
On your left
Floor
1F
Street level
The entrance, in the restaurant's own photo
Show this to a taxi driver
東京都港区白金5-12-24 1F
The address in Japanese, as drivers enter it
Location
| Address | 5-12-24 Shirokane Minato, Tokyo 108-0072 |
|---|---|
| Stations |
|
| Directions | 10 minutes walk from Hiroo Station on the Hibiya Line. |
Awards
Michelin Guide2026
Alternative is one of the restaurants selected in the Michelin Guide 2026, without a star. Alternative in the Michelin Guide
- Selected for Tabelog French TOKYO “Tabelog 100”, 2025
Questions visitors ask
How much does Alternative cost?
The restaurant puts dinner at ¥20,000–29,999 per person and lunch at ¥10,000–14,999. Drinks and a service charge (Service charge is 10%, while private rooms have a service charge of 13%.) may be extra; credit cards are accepted.
Does Alternative have an English menu?
Yes. The restaurant lists a menu in English.
When is Alternative closed?
It is closed on Sundays.
Can I bring children to Alternative?
Children are welcome at some times or seats; under-3s may be limited. Check when you book.
What is the nearest station to Alternative?
Hiroo Station, about 11 minutes on foot (850 m). Shirokanedai Station is about 14 minutes away.
Does Alternative have a dress code?
Casual smart recommended.
Is Alternative in the Michelin Guide?
Yes. Alternative is one of the restaurants selected in the Michelin Guide 2026, without a star.
Sources
Facts on this page come from Tabelog (checked in November 2026), Pocket Concierge, the Michelin Guide, and the restaurant's website; the walking directions from OpenStreetMap. Report a correction.