Principio
プリンチピオ
Italian in Azabujuban, Tokyo, 2 min walk from Azabu-Jūban Station
Our analysis
- #1of 14 Italian restaurants in Azabujuban
- ¥8,833least expensive dinner course; median ¥14,520
- 4×The Tabelog Award
- Englishonline booking from abroad
Dinner ¥15,000–19,999Book online: TableCheck
All 23 photos, by dishes, the room and the entrance
Dishes 18
Inside 5
In our ranking, Principio is 1st of the 14 Italian restaurants in Azabujuban and 30th of 221 in Tokyo. Its least expensive dinner course is ¥8,833 (on Pocket Concierge), 39% below the ¥14,520 median of the 21 Italian restaurants in Tokyo ranked nearest to it. Its record: a listing without a star in the Michelin Guide 2026, The Tabelog Award 4 times (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020), and Tabelog 100 in 2021, 2023, and 2025. From abroad it can be booked online in English on TableCheck and Pocket Concierge; 81 of the 221 Italian restaurants in Tokyo can be. Good for a private room (for 8), a late dinner (open until 23:00), 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.
How it compares
Italian restaurants in Azabujuban 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principio | #30 | ¥8,833 | — | Online in English (TableCheck) | Bronze 2020 · Tabelog 100 2025 | 2 min, Azabu-Jūban | — |
| Casa Vinitalia | #35 | ¥16,500 | ¥16,500 | Online, Japanese only | Bronze 2020 · Tabelog 100 2025 | 4 min, Azabu-Jūban | Mon |
| Burgaz Ada | #43 | ¥14,520 | — | Online, Japanese only | Tabelog 100 2026 | 3 min, Azabu-Jūban | Sun |
| Piatto Suzuki | #67 | budget ¥20,000–29,999 | — | Phone only | Tabelog 100 2025 | 1 min, Azabu-Jūban | Sun |
| sez | — | ¥13,200 | ¥7,700 | Online in English (TableCheck) | — | 4 min, Azabu-Jūban | — |
| Piccolo Grande | — | budget ¥15,000–19,999 | budget ¥4,000–4,999 | Phone only | — | 3 min, Azabu-Jūban | Tue |
For international visitors
Easy to book from abroad
Takes bookings online in English and has a menu or staff in English.
| Menu | English |
|---|---|
| Staff | Not listed |
| Website | In English |
| Payment | |
| Seating and facilities | Private rooms, Sommelier |
How to book Principio
- Book online in English on TableCheck or Pocket Concierge, the booking services the restaurant uses.
- Call 03-6809-4982 (+81-3-6809-4982 from outside Japan). Staff may speak only Japanese, so a hotel concierge can call for you.
- 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.
Menu Principio (Until November 30, 2026)Most booked
10 dishes · 3 hr at the table
- Seasonal ingredients
¥16,500
per person, tax incl., ≈$110
Cheapest
Menu Principio with Wine Pairing (Until November 30, 2026)Most booked
10 dishes · 3 hr at the table
- Wine pairing
- Seasonal ingredients
Drinks pairing included
¥28,600
per person, tax incl., ≈$190
¥12,100 more than the one above
The food
Photos the restaurant posted on Tabelog.
On Instagram
Prices
| Dinner | ¥15,000–19,999 per person |
|---|---|
| Diners report spending | ¥15,000–19,999 at dinner |
| Service charge | Seat charge: ¥550 (including tax), Service charge: 10% |
| Credit cards | |
| Electronic money | Not accepted |
Opening hours
| Monday | 18:00–23:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 18:00–23:00 |
| Wednesday | 18:30–23:00 |
| Thursday | 18:30–23:00 |
| Friday | 18:30–23:00 |
| Saturday | 18:30–23:00 |
| Sunday | 18:30–23:00 |
| Public holidays | Open |
Seats and rooms
Inside
The dining room, in the restaurant's own photos.
| Seats | 10 |
|---|---|
| Private rooms | Yes, for 8 people |
| Private hire | Possible |
| Largest group | 8 people |
| Smoking | Non smoking |
| Children | Children under 12 are not admitted |
| Dress code | As it is a small establishment, we would appreciate it if you could keep perfume to a minimum. We kindly ask male customers to refrain from wearing shorts and sandals. |
| Setting | Hideout, Stylish space, Relaxing space |
| Drinks | Wine, Particular about wine |
| Services | Parties over 2.5 hours, Celebrations and surprises, Sommelier available |
| Opened | July 2012 |
Getting there
2 min walk (160 m) from Azabu-Jūban Station, Exit 7.
Also near: Akabanebashi: 11 min · Roppongi: 13 min
- Leave Azabu-Jūban Station by Exit 7 and walk south-west for 30 m.
- Turn left and walk 70 m.
- Bear right at Chihye Coffee and walk 20 m.
- Bear left at CAFE de CRIE and walk 30 m.
Principio is on your right.
On your right
Look for
プリンチピオ
The restaurant's name, as on its sign
麻布十番舘
Written this way on the building
Floor
2F
One floor up from the street
Show this to a taxi driver
プリンチピオ東京都港区麻布十番2-4-8 麻布十番舘 2F
The address in Japanese, as drivers enter it
Location
| Address | 2-4-8 Azabujuban Minato, Tokyo 106-0045 |
|---|---|
| Stations |
|
| Directions | - From Exit 4 of Azabu-Juban Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, it is a 4-minute walk. |
Nearby
Luxury hotels nearby
- Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 730 m, about 12 min walk
Awards
Michelin Guide2026
Principio is one of the restaurants selected in the Michelin Guide 2026, without a star. Principio in the Michelin Guide
- Selected for Tabelog Italian TOKYO “Tabelog 100”, 2025
- Selected for Tabelog Italian TOKYO “Tabelog 100”, 2023
- Selected for Tabelog Italian TOKYO “Tabelog 100”, 2021
Questions visitors ask
How much does Principio cost?
The restaurant puts dinner at ¥15,000–19,999 per person. Drinks and a service charge (Seat charge: ¥550 (including tax), Service charge: 10%) may be extra; credit cards are accepted.
Does Principio have an English menu?
Yes. The restaurant lists a menu in English.
Can I bring children to Principio?
Children under 12 are not admitted.
What is the nearest station to Principio?
Azabu-Jūban Station, about 2 minutes on foot (160 m). Akabanebashi Station is about 13 minutes away.
Does Principio have a dress code?
As it is a small establishment, we would appreciate it if you could keep perfume to a minimum. We kindly ask male customers to refrain from wearing shorts and sandals.
Is Principio in the Michelin Guide?
Yes. Principio 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.