Bodeguita

Walking past it on your way south from Shimokitazawa Station towards Sangenjaya, you'd never guess that this nondescript basement is actually the closest one can get to Cuba in Tokyo. Bodeguita is not only an authentic Cuban restaurant with roast pork, black beans, stir-fried cassava, Cuban sandwiches and other Caribbean staples on the menu; it's also an excellent music spot where live tunes of rumba, son cubano and filín can be heard on at least three nights every week. Settle in with a glass of rum and give in to the intoxicating tropical beat.