I visited the cafeteria on the 32nd floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. To enter, you need to register your name and phone number at the 1st-floor entrance to get a QR code and a temporary pass. Then, take the dedicated elevator up to the 32nd floor. Many popular dishes sell out quickly, so I recommend arriving early. It’s best to avoid the peak lunch hour (12:00-13:00) when it’s crowded with staff members. It's a great spot where you can enjoy a reasonably priced meal with a spectacular view of the city!

+3

One of the most unusual and rewarding things you can do as a visitor to Tokyo: enjoy great-value food alongside government workers with an epic view over the city. It is customary for tourists to wait until 1pm to avoid exacerbating the wait times for the workers on lunch break. All customer-facing staff were friendly and eager to help, but few spoke any English. Signage is an inconsistent mix of paraphrased English or none at all. The options consist entirely of noodle-in-soup dishes like ramen for under €4. Water and green tea are available in self-service at no extra charge. Here's a step-by-step guide: 1. Register as a visitor using the self-service machines near any of the ground-level entrances. Any of the info desks can point them out once you mention 'cafeteria'. No ID required. 2. Exchange the QR code produced by the machine for a visitor badge at the adjoining desk. The guards see the purpose of your visit from that QR code and direct you to the right elevator. 3. Pass the barrier using your badge and crowd into any lift going to level 32. 4. Follow signs down the corridor to the cafeteria entrance. 5. Review what's available from the TVs showing the day's menu. There are photos but minimal English. 6. Use the payment terminal beside the screen to order and pay. Cash only. Matching the Google Lens translation from the TV with the English name on the payment terminal worked out. 7. The payment terminal prints a ticket. The number on the ticket refers to the counter you visit to collect your order. 8. Hand over the ticket to the staff at the right counter and they will serve you the meal (after a minimal delay as the noodles are cooked fresh) 9. Pick any available seat - the ones along the windows are obviously gone first. 10. Return your tray and cutlery to the signposted return areas.

It's quite an experience eating at the same canteen as government workers and worth the effort. Ask for help or see the step by step guide another reviewer published. Considering food is local and very cheap and the atmosphere is special for a visitor (if you like to see local work place culture) I recommend.

+2

Had dinner three times on different days. Mildly spicy pork curry (440 yen) had a couple of pieces of pork in it. Mapo doufu (590 yen) was good. The accompanying soup was heated super hot. It was still very hot even when I finished everything else. Hamburger (590 yen) came with one broccoli and a small handful of fries. Option to have a generous serving of rice with no extra charge. I enjoyed the view and the a/c while having a pretty good dinner out 🥳 I think dinner elsewhere in Shinjuku would be a little bit more (well, a lot more!) but, hey, if you want to look out and enjoy the view, this is the place. (I've been to the Starbucks in Shibuya where you can look out and see the station and the intersection. This place is definitely better. 32 floors up and not competing for a seat at the window.)

+2

Great view and good food! You could pay with your Suica card. Make sure to get ahead of lunch hour 12.00, the queues get very long, but right before there's almost no one there.